plain Scripture it was plainly thus At the first Believers who had possessions of Lands and houses sold them and brought the prices of them and laid them down at the Apostles feet The Apostles during that time could not in equity demand Tithes from them who had made over to them the possession of what they had from whence Tithes arose and were content themselves to receive their livelihood for the future from such distributions which the Apostles allowed to every man according as they had need Now if thou or others thinks that Ministers ought exactly to conform to this first practise of the Apostles in not receiving Tithes because they had mens whole possessions whence arose Tithes committed to their prudent disposal then thou and those others who call your selves Believers ought in equity to commit to the Ministers your whole Estates to be prudentially disposed of by them to every man as they have need or else you conform not to these Believers who lived in the Apostles dayes and inabled them to live without demanding and receiving Tithes But we the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ do require no such thing to be done to us by you as was done to the Apostles by the first Believers Neither is their any necessity for you to imitate those first Believers in their giving up all to Ministers or for us Ministers to receive from you all that which you have because the Apostle hath exactly prescribed that the maintenance of Ministers should arise in anotheâ— manner Another practise therefore of the Apostles was plainly this In places where Churches was planted and the custome of selling lands and houses and conferring them upon Ministers was not observed the Apostles themselves expected and took also maintenance from those among whom they had laboured except some grand inconveniences would have ensued upon 2 Cor. 11. 7 8. their taking maintenance The Apostle tels the Corinthians I have preached unto you the Gospel freely I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to do you service He here plainly shews that the Church of Corinth where he had laboured was bound to have afforded unto him a livelihood and maintenance and that they had been very faulty in not doing so and that while he did them service he had received from other Churches maintenance accounting it a kind of robbing those Churches to take from them any thing for that service which was by him afforded to another Church and at that time not to them for the Apostle knew that every Church where the Gospel was preached was bound to afford a sufficient and honourable maintenance to their Teachers and that would seem a substraction from and obstruction of that sufficiency of Maintenance for their own peculiar Teachers if the Teachers of other Churches should for their Relief and maintenance while they serve those other Churches depend on them to receive it Yea the Apostle askes the Corinthians forgiveness for this wrong in 2 Cor. 12 13 not being burdensom to them by taking maintenance from them which they ought to have paid Thereby shewing plainly 1. That he was not bound to abstain from receiving from them though he was pleased to do it for preventing false constructions which false Teachers and his and the Ministers enemies would have made of it as if he were a self-seeker a covetous wretch an oppressor a Fleecer and Spoiler of his flock and a partial Judge in his own cause even as thou and such as thou seek with such like expressions to defame me and other Ministers pleading for our just setled maintenance by Tythes And 2. The Apostle by the forementioned words doth plainly intimate that other Ministers were not bound to forbear receiving from people their own Rights as he did forbear it among the Corinthians Yea This same Apostle hath laid down a Canon to be for ever observed it is this Let him that is taught in the Word Gal. 6. 6. communicate to him that teacheth in all good things In that he saith In all good things nothing is excluded even all the particulars which thou hast mentioned and all other temporals from whence a temporal commodity through â—ods blessing ariseth they are all comprehended in that expression Communicate to him that teacheth in all good things The Apostle injoins a free liberal and large allowance in all good things but no base niggardly and beggerly pittance in regard that such who teach are together with the taught fellow Tenants unto God holding from God with the taught a right in common not in one or two but in all good things wherewith God hath blessed them who are taught And for thy further information know also that it is not to be found in the whole New Testament that any Apostle or that any Saint or that the Saint of Saints The Lord Jesus Christ did speak one word against Tithes or forbid the paying of Tithes to them who were the Ministers of Gods service I am sure that he hath ratified the Law of Tithes and hath spoke for them He tells us that he came not to destroy the Law he means the moral Law yea he ratifies the eight Commandment which forbids robbing of men and robbing of God a sin which Mal. 3. 8. God doth most earnestly complain of and tells how he was robbed even in Tithes and Offerings And again our Saviout speaking to Scribes and Pharisces saith Wo to you Scribes and Pharisees Luke 11. 42. Hypocrites for ye tithe Mint and Rue and all manner of herbs and pass over Judgement and the love of God these things ought you to have done and not leave the other undone According to the Tenor of our Saviours own words to take and pay tithes is no other but what ought to be done the fault which he cryed woe against was the neglect of Judgement and the love of God Thou bids me answer it by Scripture out of the Apostles and Disciples practise and to give thee plain Scripture for it else thou shall never believe that I am a Minister of Christ but hath Tythes from the Author the Pope come up since the dayes of the Apostle Answer I have done all what thou bid me I have given plain Scripture for what thou did demand yet I doubt thou will nor believe that I am a Minister of Christ however know that as thine and others believing that thing doth not make me a Minister of Christ so thine and others not believing it cannot at all make me cease from being what I am a Minister of Christ Jesus Thou and ten thousand such as thou are not able to disprove it My Lord and Master will acknowledge me for such and I wish that the very despising of Christ and God be not laid unto their charge whose abode being through Gods providence in that parish or precinct whereof he hath made me Overseer do yet despise me his Minister and reject his words taught by me Thou may now perceive that I have tithes
nineteen evil qualities he would have them turn away from such which words properly signifie be thou turned away from or turned against such 1. The Apostle would have godly Ministers such as Timothy was to be turned away from such to shew them no countenance no liking that they might see in their looks that their evill courses hath no roome no approbation in any of these good Ministers hearts and not only so but 2. The words import that they are to be turned against such both in manifesting that their conversation is opposite to the conversation of such evil ones to which purpose the Apostle directs Ministers in directing Timothy to a 2 Tim. 3. 10 11. known practical following of his doctrine manner of life purpose faith love long-suffering charity patience persecutions afflictions as also they are to be turned against such in having their communication opposite to that resistance of the truth and to that corruption in life which Seducers deceiving and being deceived manifested To which purpose the Apostle exhorts Ministers in exhorting Timothy 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17 to continue in the things which they had learned and known as Timothy did out of the holy Scripture whereby they might be profitable in Doctrine in Reproofs in Corrections in Instruction in Righteousness and be perfectly furnished unto all good works I am such even a man professedly opposite to men of corrupt mindes who are reprobate concerning the faith and who resist the truth I am a man also whose life and conversation through Gods mercy unto me is not tainted with any of those nineteen odious corruptions which the Apostle mentions I am one who endeavours as Timothy is exhorted to do to war a good warfare holding faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. 1 Tim. 4. 12 and to be an example of believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith and purity and I therefore tell thee both truly and plainly that I am not any such man from whom thou or any other hath any warrant or command from God to turn away Thy ninth Head of Demands is now fully answered CHAP. X. Thy tenth Head of Demands is as followeth ARt not thou one of them as Peter speaks of that with covetousness and fained words makes merchandise of the people and so art in Cains way and Balaams way answer I answer False teachers privily bringing in damnable heresies and denying the Lord were the men whom Peter speaks of who through covetousnesse and fained words makes merchandise of the people But these words of Peter do not speak of 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3. any holy Apostle or other faithful Ministers who lived in Peters time neither do they speak of any faithful Minister of Christ who shall live in other times Peters words are not spoken of such who preach the doctrine of salvation but of them who teach damnable heresies or damning doctrines They are not spoken of any faithful Minister who publickly and openly dispenseth holy truth in all sincerity but they are spoken of false teachers who ptivily in the houses into which they creep or elsewhere instill into their hearers corrupting falshoods conveying these in their teaching with much cunning covert hypocrisie Peters woâ—ds are not spoken of such who earnestly contend for the faith which was once deliver'd to the Saints but they are spoken of those who diligently and slily seek to pervert that faith and to turn others from it Peters words are not spoken of those who with the heart believe unto righteousness and with the mouth make conâ—ession unto salvation and teach others also to acknowledge the Lord but they are spoken of such who deny the Lord and who seek by heresies to withdrâ—w people from beleeving and from confeâ—â—â—ng that holy Christian faith whereof the Lord himself is both the Author and the Finisher Peters words are not spoken of such Ministers who according to the duty of their calling do study and read 1 Tim. 4. 13 14 16. Eccles 12. 10 and meditate and pray and write and ponder and compare things revealed in the holy Scripture and who set in order the truths which are thence sought out whereby they may still teach the people knowledge But they are spoken of such who following cunning devises do compose fine words plaiting and artificially couching them so together that some sentences shall with elegancy breath out truth and falshood so as their own disciples sucks in falshood understanding them one way and others apprehend that good only was meant therein seeing they espy that good may be interpreted out of them both are abused by such teachers the one sort are led by them into strong delusions and the other sort are deceived in their hoping that they meant good who had so craftily mixt errour and truth that it was hard even for them who was very good to dissever them Lastly Peters words are not spoken of those who meerly coveting and longing to gain souls to God and to make them Christs Disciples do plainly let them know how miserable or how comfortable they shall be according as they shall reject or receive and embrace Christ the pearle of the Gospel and his precious truths But they are spoken of them who out of covetous desires to raise a greater worldly gain from those whom they intend to make their own Disciples do use fine plausible alluring words the better to conceale and cloak those errours and heresies which they vent which being entertained the souls of those who embrace them are sold to become slaves unto such corruptions that the Devil can lead them captive at his pleasure These false teachers are not unlike those false chapmen to whom the Apostle in the word Merchandise doth allude who through their insatiable desire of gaine do with fine flattering pleasing words set forth the high commendations of their wares beyond truth thereby thinking to vent their commodities the more speedily and so draw the larger sums of money from the buyers of them Such were the persons of whom Peter speaks who through covetousness with feigned words made merchandise of the people But I and other faithful Ministers of Christ who live in the reformed Church are none of these we as I have shewed in my answer to thy ninth demand have not exercised towards our people any covetousnesse neither are we covetous and we have not sought as my answer to thy eight demand hath sufficiently cleared by faire speeches and good words by fine and faire words either to flatter our people in any of their present corruptions or to fix in them any erratical and heretical abominations Peters words are no wayes justly appliable to me or any other faithful Minister of Jesus Christ but they must properly agree to the false teachers in our dayes who are of the papal and popular faction The Romish Church by her factors who are cunning Merchants traficks in all Lands and hath a streame of currant coine
of the false prophets mockers scoffers briars thorns thistles do not we see these fruits proceed from thee and shew that thou hast not profited the people at all Ier. 23. Doth not Christ say by their fruits ye shall know them Mat. 7. inwardly ravening do we not see the people could be but wilde mockers and scoffers if thou never spoke unto them and are not these thy fruits and doth not the Apostle say their fruits shall wither and shall not these fruits wither thinks thou 1. Thou asks Art not thou one of the Novices spoken of in the Scripture Answ The holy Scripture saith that a Bishop that is he 1 Tim. 3. v. 1. and 6 who is an Overseer to whom the charge is committed of giving warning unto and of guiding and instructing the flock of Christ in spirituals yea and he also who as antiquity manifests was Assâ—mbly Notes on the place an Overseer of the Pastors as well as of flocks the chief Presbyter or Minister who had on him a charge or superintendency of all the Churches A Bishop saith the holy Scripture is not to be a Novice that is one newly planted or inserted into the body of the Church which in Apostolical times was in them who were of age of discretion by their outward profession of Christianity whereunto they were converted or come from their former profession of Judaisme or Gentilisme I do truly affirme that I am none of these Novices As Paul Phil. 3. 5. pleaded for himself I am of the stock of Israel an Hebrew of the Hebrews so say I of my self I am of the stock of Christitns 2 Tim. 3. 15 a Christion of Christians and as Timothy from a childe so have I also known the holy Scripture and as a childe trained Prov. 22. 6 up in the way in which he should go departs not from it when he is old even so I having already stept into some degrees of age yet do still keep in that holy profession of the Ministry wherein I have been trained and tutored in my youth and I did not rashly and rawly hasten to be a Pastor for until I had seriously spent good time and study in the holy Seripture and divine things being nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereunto I had attained I did not take 1 Tim. 4. 6 upon me a Pastoral charge and therefore I am unjustly suspected by thee or any else to be one of those Novices which the Scripture speaks of But to prove me to be one of these Novices thou writes that my Congregation is out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as witches and such slandering expressions of honest people Answ 1. A Congregation being in some things out of order is no good proof that he who is over it in things spiritual 1 Tit. 5. is a Novice Titus was no Novice though at Creet where he was ovet the Church of God there was something not in order so they who are set over the flock or Congregation of the Lord to take care of the Church are not therefore in the Scripture-sense Novices because some things it may be are for present out of order which in time may by their care and contrivance be brought into good order 2. I say that such Congregations or holy Assemblies of Gods people are not out of order wherin all things are done 1 Cor. 14. 40 decently and in order decently in a seemly and sit manner and orderly without confusion when every thing and Ordinance is dispensed in its proper season time and place In such order I keep my Congregation in all their solemn meetings in regard whereof thou cannot justly charge it with confusion or disorder or with being out of order 3. Whereas thou writes that my Congregation is out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as witches and such slandering expressions unto honest people I answer thee that thou ought not to say that the whole Congregation is out of order or is to be blamed for the disorderly acts and personal faults of some apperteining to the Congregation of whose faults it hath no knowledge and which faults it wholly disallows when it comes to know them for neither I nor the Congregation of my people will justifie any belonging to it in their scoffing nicknaming railing and abusing any nor in their fastning on any slanderous expressions they have in the holy Assemblies been oft taught better and though perhaps some of thy way have by their imbittered language whereof the mouths and letters of your Sect are usually full provoked some of our Congregation to pay you in your own coine yet be it known unto thee that such never received any instruction from us to do so but were and are upon all occasions charged by us as the Apostle did the Thessalonians see that none render evil for evil unto any man but ever follow that which is good both 1 Thes 5. 15 among your selves and to all men 2. Thou asks Are not these rhe mockers now which should come that the Apostles said should come Answ One Apostle saith that in the last dayes shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the 2 Pet. 3 3 4 promise of his coming Another Apostle saith remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jude 17 18 19. Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts these be they who separate themselves sensual having not the spirit Therefore thou and others need not ask me who these scoffers were that should come for ye may easily satisfie your selves from the Apostles own words though men who are ordinary scoffers and mockers of other men are censured complained of condemned and threatned in many places of holy Scripture for their scornings and reproachings of others yet they were another kinde of mockers and scoffers whom the Apostle said should come They were mockers scoffers of the Word of God they were men contemptuously slighting its commands promises reproofs threats and Gods holy Messengers his Ministers who speak it to his people Peter particularly shews that these scoffingly ask where is the promise of his coming and that they reason against his coming and the day of Judgement as if they would never be And Jude tells us these are they that separate themselves that is appears by considering to what the Apostle in the 20 and 21. verses exhorts they separate from truth from the holy faith once delivered to the Saints by their taking up and adhering unto damnable doctrines and they separate from the holy love of right believing Christians by breaking off from communion with them in all those publick duties whereby they testifie and professe that they have a joint interest in the common salvation and have obtained like precious faith And both Peter and Jude tells us
tythes of the spoile as due to him the giver of victory the subduer of the enemies and the preserver of the Conquerour Holy Abraham was by this blessing well informed upon what grounds tythes were payable unto God and therefore he would not on any condition give away Gods portion wherefore he gave the tenth of the spoile which was Gods due to the Priest of the most high God though he would not take the residue of the spoile or goods which he had got in the warre when the King Gen. 14. 21 22 23. of Sodom would have had him Again the expressing of the Apostle seemes fully to give a reason of his paying tythes of both He annexeth immediately to the interpretation of Melchizedecks names the mentioning that Abraham gave a tenth of all as a sufficient reason of Abrahams paying tythes of his substance and tythes of the spoiles The Apostles words are these To whom Abraham gave a tenth part of all first being by interpretation King of Righteousnesse and after that also King Heb. 7. 2. of Salem which is King of Peace as if he would have us to consider that the tenth part of all is to be given to the God of righteousnesse who exacts nothing from any people but that which is right and the tenth of spoiles also as well as the tenth of substance is to be given to the God of peace who causeth all to enjoy peaceably whatever they do inherit 5. Thou asks Did he it ever any more then once Answ Abrahams example of doing it though we had no intimation how oft he did it is binding to all who are by profession children of Abraham according to faith so oft to do it as they have the same grounds for doing it which Abraham once had As therefore Abraham paid unto the Priest of the most high God the tyth of all his substance on this ground because the Lord was the high Possessor of heaven and earth and so the giver unto him all his increase even so every true believer must return to God the tythe of his substantial increase as oft as the Lord gives unto his substance an increase Deut. 14. 22 which is yearly for so God hath told him and such have Abrahams example acting herein on this ground because God was the blesser of him from leaven and on earth in all his particular increase and as Abraham paid tythe of the spoiles which were took in War on this ground because the Lord had preserved him and given him the victory over his enemies so at every time when the Lord shall call any true believer to triumph over his enemies he ought to return unto God the tythe of the spoiles taken as a thankful acknowledgement that the Lord was his keeper and deliverer from his enemies and the subduer for him of those who were risen up against him and as oft as he doth this he is in doing so an Imitator of Abraham who on the very same grounds did pay tythes of all It is not plainly said how oft he did so because the holy Scripture was not indited to be an hystory either to relate every particular act which was done by these holy men of whom it makes mention or every particular time of their doing the self-same holy act for substance which it saith they did but Gods intention of recording in holy Scripture any good act which they did though there be no mention how oft they did it was for our learning and imitation that we might thorough patience and comfort of the Scriptures have hope namely Rom. 15. 4 that we from the good presidents of any good which it reports they did might learne to be patient or perseverant in the like well-doing and might be comforted seeing the holy Scripture commends unto us the good which they have at any time done And holy Scriptural commendings are vertual commandings of us to practice the same good at all times on the same grounds which moved them at any time to act it according to the Apostle follow saith he ever that which is good and think on these things in which there is any praise as there 1 Cor. 10. 18 is a great deal in the good done by the holy men in Scripture whom the Lord commendeth Besides though holy Scripture tells not in plain termes how oft Abraham paid tythes to Melchizedeck for the reason already given yet there is an expression which seems to imply that it was more then once for the Apostle commands not to be slothful but followers of those who through faith and patience Heb. 6. 12. inherit the promise and presently instanceth in Abraham continuing still his discourse of him thoroughout that Chapter and unto the next where he tells of his act of paying tythes of all to Melchizedeck and of his act of dividing unto Melchizedeck the tenth out of the spoile This following of Abâ—aham is a word of prosecution and naturally implies that Abraham made more steps or acts then one onely in tything wherein we are as well called in following him to propose him unto our selves for an example as we are called on to walk after his patterne in those several steppings or actings which he made in believing the promises and in patiently enduring until Heb. 6. 13 14 15. he had obtained them 6. Thou asks Was it a standing thing to be done after him Answ 1. I suppose it is already very cleare by what is said that paying of tythes to Evangelical Ministers is a standing duty to be paid unto them even as it was but duty in Abraham as it hath been proved to pay tythes to Melchizedeck the Evangelical Priest of the most high God who met him not with Altars and sacrifices like a Levitical Priest but with bread and wine as if he had been a Minister of the Gospel Paying tythes is a standing duty to be discharged unto the Ministers of the Gospel so long as Christ imployes them in his stead to do his Evangelical service of blessing the people and of blessing God for them and for their good successes and of seeking the welfare of their souls and bodies in teaching them to inherit eternal blessings in and thorough him the Lord Jesus Christ 2. It is plain paying of tythes was a standing thing to be done after Abrahams time because Jacob who was Abrahams Gen. 28. 22 grandchild vowed to pay the tenth to God of all that which he should give him That holy man well understood the grounds on which tythes are due unto God both from his father Isaac's blessing wherein he expresseth that all that which he was to have was to be given unto him from God God said Isaac give thee of the dew of heaven and the fatnesse of the earth and plenty of corne and wine and also at his vision Gen. 27. 28 of the providential ladder he understood so much from Gods own promise that he would give unto him and to his
wayes and now he speakes to his people by his Sonne People are therefore said to be all taught of God because they Joh. 6. 45 have the doctrine or teaching of Christ who is God whose doctrine is the Gospel or the the spell or speech of God Now Christ the son of God from his word written by the mouth of all his holy Ministers in their interprating and applying his whole revealed will or voyce touching the wayes of his service and their salvation doth preach and speake Eph. 2. 20 that his people might be built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ being the corner stone And this his preaching by his Ministers from and out of his word written 2 Pet. 1. 19. is called a more sure word of Prophecy It is a word more sure for the benefit of the Church then any immediate voyce whatsoever 6. Quest Dost thou believe that a man shall come to that which is perfect while he is up on the earth and have the body of sinne put off and be free from sin Answ I believe all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets and in the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles and therfore I believe no otherwise touching those things whereof thou askes here what is my belief then according as I finde what is conteined in these holy writings Take then this distinct account of my beliefe concerning what thou demaunds 1. I believe that in some places the holy scriptures speakes of that which is perfect to which they only have come who are in heaven but thereunto they who are on 1 Cor. 13. 10 Heb. 12. 23 Phil. 3. 12. earth have not come though while they abide on earth they must be still striving that they may come to celestiall perfection 2. I believe that the holy scriptures saith that believers are perfect or compleat in Christ their head by reason of their union with him and justification by him who supplyes Col. 2. 10 Heb. 12. 14. 1 Thes 3. 10 Col. 1. 28 Eph. 4 12 Gen 6. 9. 1 Cor. 2. 6 Phil. 3. 15. Eph 5. 14. Heb. 6. 1 2 Cor. 13. them with all things necessary for their salvation and yet though these believers have from Christ supereminent prerogatives and surpassing spirituall influences they are neverthelesse not perfect in themselves for as much as they need perfecting that which is lacking in their faith however they are men to be esteemed in the way of perfecting or compleating 3. I believe that the Holy scriptures speakes of some who are comparatively perfect that is perfect in comparison of others so was Noah a man perfect in comparison of the wicked who live in his generation Thus strong Christians who out strippt weake ones in the knowledge of Christ in grace and piety and in the practise thereof are called perfect in comparison of such who adhere to Mosaicall ordinances and priviledges and who were rude and raw even babes in the knowledge and practise of Christianity yet such who were called commparatively â—erfect were not so perfect but that the Apostle exhorts them to a proceedure unto further perfection and he wishes the absolut perfection of those who yet were strong or in some measure perfect 4. I believe that the holy scripture in some places speakes of some who were evangelically perfect that is whose 1 Kings 15 14 2 King 20. 3 Job 1. 1. Luk. 1. 9 Obedience was not hypocriticall but sincere and upriâ—ht such were Asa Hezâ—kiah Job Zachariah and Elizabeth and others and yet the holy Scripture shewes that these were not legally perfect that is they were not such whose obedience 2. Chro. 15. 10 2. Chrâ— 32. 25. 26. Iob. 7. 20. Iob. 9. 20. Luk. 1. 20. had so exactly conformed to the Law of Righteousness as that from it they had not at all swerved for it records their particular defaultings however God was pleased to account them evangelically perfect because he accepted the uprightnes of their intention instead of perfection justly requirable in their obedient actions pardoning all what was amisse and their falling short of exact perfection in their performances 5. I believe that though holy men on earth may be called perfect because they have grace which is the good work begun in them for perfecting them yet they are not perfect by their bare haveing Grace because the holy scripture exhorts all gracious ones to abound in grace and to strive to be perfect in the 2. Cor. 8. 7. 2. Cor. 13. 11. Jaâ— 1. 4. Psal 84. 7. Râ—m 1. 17. Phil. 3. 15. highest degree or pitch of grace and to let their grace have its perfect work and it tels us of gracious mens progressions in grace they going from strength to strength according as the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith Yea the Apostle who counted himselfe perfect in respect of his Grcace in Christianity yet acknowledgeth that he was not perfect namely in respect of the supereminencyes of those graces after which he Phil. 3. 12 pressed hard From all thess assertions of the holy scripture it is that I do believe that a man while he is on eaâ—th may come to have that perfect proportion or measure of grace given to him which God sees convenient for his state standing and service in Christianity while he lives yet seeinâ— the fullest Eph. 4. 7. measure of the most eminâ—nt in grace on earth is far short of that hiâ—hest pitch to which Grace may be extended and which shall be heâ—eafter attained to in heaven therefore I believe that though a gracious man is and may be called perfect in respect of that stinted measure of grace which is allotted to him on earth yet he is not absolutely perfect on earth because he hath not as yet attained to that ultimate consummate heavenly perfection which he is to presse after on earth and which shall be by him possessed in heaven when he shall their be gloryfied 6. I believe that a man on earth may have the body of sin put off that is he â—ay have it mortified or so destroyed as that sin shall not raiâ—n in him and that he shall not serve sin But I have no ground to believe that while a man is on earth he can have the body of sin put off that is so mortified or utterly destroyed in him that no Relicks of his corruption should remaine in him This I cannot believe because it is contrary to holy Scripture which describes a regenerate man to be one who is not altogether spirit but in whom there is both flesh and spirit and these in him lusts one against the other and it is certaine Gal. 6. 17. the warre between them will not cease untill he himselfe hath fought the good fight of faith and hath finished his 2. Tim. 6. 12. 2. Tim. 4. 7. course sin therefore will not be so mortified and destroyed in any holy man while he is
on earth that he shall never more conflict and combate with it for so long as he lives he shall be less or more troubled with its inherency turbulency and Tyranny though it shall have in him no regency no Soveraignty no conquest to cause him to serve sin The Apostle knew that the old man was crucified that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth he and others in Christ should not serve Rom. 6. 6. Râ—m 7 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 sin yet he complaines of the Inbeing of his corruption and of its powerfull working presence In crossing him the motions of the spirit unto good and in haling him to be a captive unto evill though he acknowledgeth with thankfulness that it shall not have any totall and finall conquering prevalency over him 7. I believe according to the holy Scripture that there is no living man upon the earth who is free from sin a personall sinlesse perfection is not to be found among any mortall men on earth because the Scripture telleth us Their 1. King 8. 46. Prov. 20. 9. Eccl. 7. 20. is no man that sinneth not and againe who can say I have made my heart cleane I am pure from my sin and againe there is not a just man on the earth that doth good and sinneth not The meaning is he sinneth in doing good for so the Prophet acknowledgeth all our riâ—hteousnesses are as filthy rags Againe one 〈◊〉 64. 6. â—â—m 3. 2. Iohn 1. 8. Apostle saith in many things we offend all he includes himself other Apostles as great as he in holiness and both of them were very holy men excludes not himself saying If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourâ—elves and the truth is not in us I believe the tâ—uth of all these scriptures and therefore I do not believe that any mortal man while he is on the earth is free from sin 7. Quest Dost thou owne that salvation that is wrought out with fear and trembling Answ That Salvation the working out of which with fear Phil. 2. 12 13 an trembling the Apostle exhorts to because God worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure is properly the worke of obedience and Piety which one works who is in the State and course of Salvation This is called salvation because it conduceth to and will end in salvation for a man who continueth to the end in the course of true Obedience and Mat. 29 13 piety is sure to obtaine felicity he who endureth to the end shall be saved I say then that 1. I own that salvation which is to be wrought out I own that their should be a finishing the work of obedience and graciousness which tends to salvation even of all such good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in and Eph. 2. 10. 2. I own that this obedient and pious working which tends to further us toward the end of our faith the perfect salvation of the soule should be wrought with fear and trembling that is as these words as here conjoyned do genuinely signify with an awfull reverentiall humble carfulness neither to offend God on whom their must be a dependency or ability to worke nor to deserve his Judgment by any proud arrogancy in presuming on the worke which we do though it be good seeing it is of his pure grace of his good pleasure that the very working out the very doing and finishing of any good is effected by us I do own this holy fear and trembling commended in Scripture which is an holy dread in the soule whereby it stands in awe of God having a great carefulnesse to walke humbly with God and fiducialâ—y to depend on him in all holy working And I do verily beleive that this fear and holy awe of the soul in its endeavouring to observe Gods commandments and to depart from evil is a surer evidence of one that works out his salvation in fear and trembling then are the quakings shakings wrestings and wringings of any body whatsoever for it is well known that in some men bodily quakings have been the effects of their Dâ—ut 28. 65 Psa 69. 23 bodily diseases in others they have been the fruites of Satanicall possessions and in some they are from divine curse and infliction 8. Quest Dost thou owne the same Revelation and Inspiration that the Apostles and Prophets had now in this age yea or no Answ I own all those selfe same revelations which were revealed to the Apostles and Prophets by the inspiration of the Spirit when they indited the holy scripture for in the writings of these his holy Pen-men Christ hath now fully and finally recorded the whole will and counsel of God concerning the way of his service and concerning all things necessary for mans salvation these are able to make wise unto salvation and seeing that God now only in these last dayes speakes unto us 1. Tim. 3. 15. Heb. 1. 1. Iuk 10. 6. Math. 28. 20. by his son and his son speakes to us teachingly from his word written by his Ministeriall servants with whom he hath promised to be untill the end of the world Therefore I disowne all those immediate Revelations which some in this age pretend to have knowing that these cannot reveale any saving truth which is not already revealed in the writings of the Prophets Apostles knowing that they all are accursed who seek to add to the Propheticall and Apostolicall Revelations any new Revelations or to preaâ—h unto men any other Gospel then Rev. 22. 28. 19. Gal. 1. 8. that which is received My faith is grounded as all good Christians faith ought to be upon the divine Revelations which the Prophets and Apostles received and have recorded in holy Scripture but not upon any other revelations which either in former ages or now in this age any other learned or holy persons have received 9. Quest Dost thou own the Prophesying sons and daughters in this age and that the Lord will poure his spirit upon all flesh Answ 1. I do believe that the Lord did poure of his spirit in plentiful measure of extraordinary gifts in an unusual manner so as they who received it in that manner did speak on a sudden in various and sundry languages the wonderfull works of God Ioel. 2. 28. Act. 2. 7. 18. 19. Act. 2. 1. this I believe because the Prophet Joel said that it should come to pass and the Apostle Peter said that it was come to pass and the Evangelist Luke hath told when it came to passe on the day of Pentecost when the Disciples were all with one accord in one place then was Ioels prophecy fully fulfilled in respect of the extraordinary effusion of the spirit But I do not believe that such an extraordinary pâ—uring out of the spirit in such a visible manner with such an apparent abundance of gifts and donations was ever known in the world either
Apostle John or Paul or any other holy Writer haâ—h recorded concerning Antichrist and Antichrists unto the faithfull Ministers of the Refoâ—med Churches for these Ministers doe teach the truths of God but not the traditions of men they teach the doctrins of Christ but not the doctrines of Devils nor the dotages and decretalls of any mortalls They also from the Apostolicalâ— writings do convincingly detect unto the world the grand Antichrist and the fry of many Antichrists both which abuse the world with their lying deceipts errors and heresyes I will say something concerning the Antichrist and Antichrists whom the Apostle describes and then I will punctually answer to thy demand Antichrist as the name signifyes is one who opposeth Christ the scripture intimates that he is such an one who covertly under the Vizard of professing Christ and his Doctrin opposeth him There is One who is more eminent then others in this 1 Joh. â— 18. 2 Theâ— 2. 3 4 Rev. 9. 11. Opposition he is called in scripture The Antichrist And the man of sin and the Son of perdition who opposeth and the King of Locusts or the cheife over such swarmes of seducers who also are inferiour Antichrists and pretend that they come in the name of Christ Jesus and do in all places seeke with subtilty to oppose and over throw the pure doctrines of Christ This great Antichrist hath his seate in Rome Papal Their are also a multitude of false teachers who were and are opposers of the Doctrines of Christ These bring in privily damnable heresiyes thereby seeking to oppose and destroy Christ Doctrines These are called by the Apostle Antichrists â— Joh. 2. 18 many Antichrists for they are many in number and many in factions and they vent many false notions many unsound poysoning doctrines thinking thereby to draw many Disciples after them and to be Masters of their faith or Sectmasters these Antichrists are creepers into houses to lead captive them who are silly especially sinful women and they mostly reside among their popular intertainers Both the Grand Romish Antichrist and these puny Roaming hereticall Antichrists are such as thou demands after namely who transgresseth and are deceivers and have not God noâ— Christ and are not to be bid God-speede I will in these severall particulars named by the Scriptures demonstrate it of them both First both the grand Antichrist and these Hereticall Antichrists are such who have transgressed it were easie to write volumes of the particular transgressions of them both Suffice it to know That the holy Scripture calls the papall Antichrist a man of sin that is a man transcendently vicious peerlesly infamous 2 Thes 2. 4 for all unrighteousness The very Popish Chronicles and Histories of the lives of Popes do testifie that many of them were both themselves men of sinne and that also they made others sinne The holy Scripture likewise reckons up a catalogue of such sins whereof Hereticall Antichrists either as they are distinguishable from Papists the followers of the grand Antichrist or as 2. Tim. 3 ver to the 10. 2. Tâ—m 4. 3. 4. they are considered as conspiring with them are commonly guilty The Scripture tells us that they are selfe lovers covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents sierce dispisers of those that are good traytors heady high-minded lovers of pleasure more then lovers of â—od having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof that also they are 2. Pet. 2. Jude 8. scoffers mockers walkers after their own lusts that they despise Dominion speake evill of Dignities that they tuâ—ne the grace of God into lasciviousness that they are separatists sensuall having not the spiriâ— they are thus as the Papall Antichrist al-also is transgressours and their endeavour is to corrupt others and make them also in like sort transgressors like themselves Secondly as the Papall Antichrist and the hereticall Antichrists 2. Epist Joh. v. 9. are such as transâ—resseth so they both do not abide in the Doctrine of Christ Whosoever shall compare the Doctrine of the councel of Trent touching faith and worship which Doctrin the Papall Antichrist maintaines and curseth all who disclaime it with what is extant in Paulâ— Epistles he must acknowledge that the Papall Antichrist is a great Apostate and the Head now of that great Apostacy from the faith and true worship of God which at this day is found among such who professe Christianity and whosoever compares the holy Scriptures aslertions touching the faith and true worship which God requires with the sundry principles and positions touching these which the heretical Antichrists of this age do contend for and defend damning all who are otherwise minded then they themselves are he must affirm that these heretical Antichrists have shaken hands with the Papall Antichrist and his confederates in Apostatizing from the faith which was once delivered to the Saints which was kept sound and incorrupt in the purer times of Christianity The severall heresies about the severall heads of the Christian saith which at seveâ—all times were preached by several Hereticks in the Apostles days and afterward were so many standing puddles of false Doctrine which much annoyed the Christian world for some space of time At length Popery prevailing in the Westerne part of the world it became as a corrupt Sea into which most of the filthy streames of former heresies therein did runne and was received and they with the additions of pestilent poysoning popish mixtures do slow out againe as oft as the Papall Antichrist and his instruments do thereby hope either to infest or to infect the Evangelicall or reformed Churches I will name only two Doctrines of Christ wherein the Papall Antichist and hereticall Antichrists have not abode 1. It is a Doctrine of Christ that Christs is come in the flesh The papall Antichrist and hereticall Antichrists do not in direct terms deny it for both use the name of Christ in their words and writings and some of them in words say so much yet because the Apostle calls them deceivers the word signifies such who professe the Cosening of others even while others 2. Epist John 2. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lookes on them and Antichrist who do not confesse that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh therefore it is certaine that though some of them professe it yet both do consequently deny it in some of their tenents The papall Antichrist and his adherents acknowledge in word that Christ is come in the flesh but while they maintaine that the bread and wine in the Lords supper is turned into the very body and blood corporall of Christ they thereby affirme that Christs body is made of bread and wine and so do implicirely deny that Christ is at such a time come to them in the flesh untill that very instant be come wherein the Priest utters the words of consecration Some hereticall Antichrists say that Christ is come in the flesh but when they are asked what
AN Answer TO A QUAKERS SEVENTEEN HEADS OF QUERIES Containing in them seventy seven Questions WHEREIN Sundry Scriptures out of the Prophets and Apostles are cleared The maintenance of Ministers by Tithes is by Scripture fullly vindicated Several Cases of Conscience are resolved Several Points of Christian Religion are confirmed Parochial Churches and the Practises of some things in these our English Churches are throughly justified The Grand Antichrist with the Heretical Antichrists are decyphered and parallelled By John Bewick Minister of the Gospel and Rector of the Parish Church of Stanhop in Weredale in the County of Durham Prov. 18. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him Quisquis hoc ligiâ— ubi paâ—iter câ—râ—us est pâ—rgat mâ—cum ubi paâ—iter haesitat quaerat mecum ubi erroâ—em suum cognoscit redeat ad me ubi meum revocat me ita ingrediamur simul charitâ—tis viam tendentes ad cum de quo dictum est quaeâ—ite faciâ—m ejus semper August de Trin. lib. 1. cap. 3. LONDON Printed by T. R. for Andrew Crook at the sign of the Green Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1660. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL Sr. GEORGE VANE Knight And to the rest of the Parishioners of Stanhope in Weredale J. B. wisheth Establishment in the Truth Exemption from Error with Assurance of Everlesting BLESSEDNES THese last and troublesome times wherein Apostates and Hereticks disturb the Truth calleth on Ministers of the Gospel to be more vigilant both in feeding with the words of Eternal life Christs Flock under their charge and in fighting by the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God with the Errors of the time which threatens the ruine of their souls Now though the Inclinations of many Ministers bends them to be exercised more in practical Preaching the Truth then in controversal maintaining it by Writing yet when any of them are provoked to this latter service so without it Truth would be prejudiced they ought without neglecting the former to apply themselves unto it for the confirmation of their people in the precious Truth knowing assuredly that God and his Church are served when his Truths are defended by the Pen as well as when they are published from the Pulpit even as David honoured God as well in fighting the Lords battels for vanquishing his enemies as in dancing before the Ark for advancing devotion among his people His religious Worship was the more admirable yet Magis miror Davidem salâ—antem quam pugnantem Greg. Mag. his couragious Combats was unto the people usefully comfortable Seeing therefore my labours in preaching among you was not diminished by any pains beside which was took in writing I hope none will blame me for answering a Quaking Questionist whose confidence rendred him conceited that the Questions which he gave unto me to be answered were unanswerable considering that this vindication by Scripture of many Truths will further your firmer setling in these known and acknowledged Truths It is likely some may deem this a superfluous work because many have writ in answer to this sort of men but judicious men will not account the store of books in this kind to be any sore nor a multitude of Antidotes and Medicines in infected times to be any grievance My thoughts in this particular are not unlike Augustines that in places infected or likely to be August contra Mendaci cap. 6. infected with Errors every one should writ who hath ability thereunto that all sorts of people may among many books light on some and be thereby the better armed against infecting Errors and that the adversaries of Truth may find themselves every where to purpose incountred If the Questionist or any of his fraternity or any Reader and more particularly you of my charge shall hereby reap any spiritual benefit I shall not value as fruitless the pains took in composing this Treatise It is my hearts desire that you all may be saved and be kept in these tottering times from being rocked asleep in any security in sin and error Practise that holy faith and obedience wherein I have instructed you fourteen years with all diligence and patience I will not be negligent so long as I abide with you to put you always in remembrance of such things which accompanies salvation and whereby you may be edified in love and established more and more in the present Truth Commending you to the love of God and his Truth and to the hating of all Apostacy Heresie Fraudulency sacrilegious Impiety and Atheistical Prophanity I rest Jan. 12. 1648. Your loving Pastor always ready to spend and be spent for the good of your souls JOHN BEWICK THE LETTER OF Questions was thus endorsed FOR John Bewick called Minister of Stanhope 1. FRiend who calls thy self a Minister of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures to be the Rule Shew me out of the Scriptures where the Apostles or the Disciples or the Ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ or any of the Saints or Believers run up and down or sent up and down and wrangled with Parishes for tith-Calfes Tith-pigs Geese or Eggs Apples Hey Wool Lambs Flax Foals Plow-pennies Bees Gardens or for mony for smoak passing up Chimnies Answer me this by Scripture out of the Apostles or Disciples practise and give me plain Scripture for it or else I shall never believe that thou art a Minister of Christ but hath the tithes from the Author the Pope come up since the dayes of the Apostles 2. Did not the Apostle cry against them that taught for filtby lucre and were covetous 1 Tim. 3. 3. Did not Christ give the marks of the blind guides Mat. 23. and saith be not ye called of men Master and have the chiefest places in the Assemblies Christ saith Be not ye called Master for ye have one Master even Christ and ye are all brethren Dost thou abide in his Doctrine that art called of men Master Did not Christ give these marks to the multitude and to his Disciples Now if I was one of the multitude could not I tell thinks thou if my guide were called of men Master and had the chiefest place in the Assemblies and had his long robes and uppermrst rooms at feasts Read Mat. 23. and how thou canst escape the seven woes there pronounced against such and whether thou will try thy practise thy life by Christs the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine yea or nay 3. Art not thou one of them that seeks for thy gain from thy quarter and hast a price and seeks for thy own way Did not the Prophet say Come without a price to them that thirsted therefore whether must I go to thee that hast a price or hearken diligently that my soul may live that I may witness the sure mercies of David and out-strip all my teachers as he did and come into the Everlasting Covenant and own the Prophets words Isa 55. 5 8. 4. Art not thou one of them that
beares rule by thy means which the Lord sent Jeremiah to cry against Jer. 5. which was an horrible filthy thing committed in the land which the people loved to have it so for which God would visit them I in holding up such do I obey the Prophets voice or am one of the foolish people that have eyes and see not hath ears and hear not without the fear of God holding up such as bear rule by their means Did they not look upon Jeremy as one being deceived and was not he cast into prison and dungeon Did not the Priests and the Princes say he was worthy of death 5. Art not thou one of them that divines for money and teaches for hire and if I will put in thy mouth thou will preach peace to me if I will not thou will prepare war against me Did not such bring the people all on heaps yea Jerusalem Did not God say night should come on such and was not Micah full of the power and full of the Spirit to declare unto them their sin and transgression And is it not a sin and transgression now answer me 6. Art not thou one of them that seeks for the fleece and hath made a prey upon the people in this cloudy and dark day and with force and cruelty ruled over them Doth not the Lord say he will seek and gather them from your mouths and feed them upon the tops of the mountains even I will do it saith the Lord God Ezek. 34. 7. Would thou bear rule among the people if they should take away thy means Wouldst thou divine if they should take away thy money Wouldst thou keep the flock if they should take away the fleece Did not the Prophets cry against such and how can thou clear thy self from these steps if thou canst answer me by Scripture and the Apostles practise 8. Art not thou in the steps of them that the Apostle speaks of to the Romans that with thy fair speeches and good words deceives the hearts of the simple which serves not the Lord Jesus Christ but thy own belly 9. Art not thou one of the Lovers of their own selves that art covetous and to be turned away from 2 Tim. 3. Art not thou one of them as Peter speaks of that with covetousness and fained words makes merchandiâ—e of the people and so art in Cains way and Balaams way answer 11. Were not these the wels without water and clouds carried about with Tempests which the Apostle saw coming in before his departure 12. Art not thou one of the Novices spoken of in the Scripture seeing that thy Gongregation is so out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as Witches and such slandring expressions to honest people Are not these the Mockers now that should come that the Apostle said should come that now we see hath reigned since And are not these the Marks of the false Prophets Mockers Scoffers Briars Thorns Thistles Do we not see these fruits proceed from thee and shew that thou hast not profited the people at all Jer. 23. Doth not Christ say By their fruits ye shall know them Mat. 7. inwardly ravening Do we not see that people could be but wild Mockers and Scoffers if thou never spoke to them and are not these thy fruits and doth not the Apostle say their fruits shall whither and shall not these fruits wither thinks thou 13. Where did the Apostles give Davids quakings Prophecies Reproaches fastings in meeter to sing to the world 14. Is the Priesthood changed that took Tithes Is the Law changed by which they were made Is the commandment disanulled that gave them tithes Did Abraham pay tithes to Melchizedeck of his substance or of the spoil Did he ever do it to him more then once Was it a standing thing to be done after him Is the Son of God come the end of all similitudes and liknesses Now if thou say that they which preach the Gospel must live of the Gospel and have I not power to eat and power to drink yea when Christ sent forth his Disciples he bad them enquire who was worthy and what they set before them they might eat But did he that said have I not power to eat say have I not power to take stipends augmentations tithes gleab-lands great sums of money or parsonage houses Now if thou come to my house who says thou art a Minister of the Gospel and Minister unto me spirituall things I shall set before thee of my carnall things if thou hast enquired and found my house worthy so said Christ what they set before thee eat so said the Apostle have not I power to eat to drink but said I have not writen this nor spoken this that it should be so done unto me for I have not used my power But if thou come to a towne or come to an house and inquire for tithes and augmentations tithe woll hay Pigs Bees Gardens money for smoak passing up Chimnyes Foales Eggs Geese Chickins Calves Lambs and other creatures and thou canst not shew me by Scripture where the Apostle did so I must say thou art one of those evill beasts that mindes earthly things and thine own belly if thou cannot prove to the contrary 15. If any people had followed the false Prophets false Apostles and such as made a prey upon them for filthy lucre and covetousnes and took their money bear rule by their meanes and divined for mony sought for their fleece the Priest that preached for hire and come to Christ from the hirelings that will flee who hath laid down his life for the sheep who saith learn of me I am the way to the father and witnesse the word in them and the annointing in them to teach them are they to maintaine and uphold such before mentioned that Christ the Prophets and Apostles cryed against or maintain such Prophets and Priests in their way yea or nay as Priests and ministers and teachers 16. Are not they Ministers of unrighteousnesse and so messengers of Satan that seeks for meanes maintenance tithes of them they doe not work for is not that an unrighteous deed thing Now if it be said the labourer is worthy of his hire is it not then an unrighteous thing to go and take hire of them answer me and let truth spake and come to the light and bring thy deeds to it Now if you say we plow in hope and thresh in hope that we may be made partakers of our hope now if thou plowest not for me nor threshest not for me how can thou bring the Scripture and say the workman is worthy of his hire to on that hath not set thee at worke and that thou plowest not for and threshest not for 17. What is the first principle of the pure Religion Is the steeple house the Church What scripture hast thou for sprinkling Infants What scripture hast thou for the word Sacrament hast thou heard Gods voice immediately from
heaven as Prophets and Apostles did or Christs voice Dost thou believe that a man shall come to that which is perfect while he is upon the earth and have the body of sin put off and be free from sin Dost thou owne that salvation that is wrought out with fear and trembling Dost thou own the same Revelation and Inspiration that the Prophets and Apostles had now in this age yea or nay Dost thou own the Prophesing sons and daughters in this age and that the Lord will poure his Spirit upon all flesh When Christ saith to his Dicsiples be yee not called Masters for yee have own Master and all ye are brethren where dost thou read Mr. Paul Mr. Mathew Mr. Mark Mr. Luke Mr. Iohn Mr. Peter Mr. James Mr. Timothy Mr. Titus that these transgressed the command of Christ Is not he Antichrist that transgressetb and the deceiver and hath not God nor the Son and is not to be bid Godspeed read Iohns second Epistle and answer me Answer me these queryes in writting to the thing that is queried and do not say they are foolish and non-sense but let have me an answer in writing William Emerson AN Answer Returned to the former Letter according to its seventeen Heads of Demands in answerable CHAPTERS CHAP. I. FRiend I have as thou desired at the giving unto me thy Paper read it with as great patience and consideration as I could and I by this do return thee an Answer intreating thee to read and peruse it with Patience Christian Candor and Consideration giving unto God the praise if thou reap any good by it My answer is to things in the same order as they were proposed by thee Thus thou begins I. FRiend who calls thy self a Minister of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures to be the Rule Shew me out of the Scriptures where the Apostles or the Disciples or the Ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ or any of the Saints or Believers ran up and down or sent up and down and wrangled with Parishes for Tithe-calves Tithe-pigs geese or Eggs Apples Hey Wool Lambs Flax Foals Plow-pennies Bees Gardens or for money for smoak passing up Chimneis Answer me this by Scripture out of the Apostles Disciples practise and give me plain Scripture for it or else I shall never believe that thou art a Minister of Christ but hath the Tithes from the Author the Pope come up since the dayes of the Apostles Answer to this is as followeth Answer I do truly affirm my self to be a Minister of Jesus Christ because he hath called me to his Ministry and hath not only endowed me with gifts essential to the Ministry but further called me by a right Ordination to it according to the way of the Church of England and all antient Catholick Churches And according to that only Rule given from God for the ordering of mens conversation heaven-ward which is the Holy Scripture of which I say and will maintain it against all Opposers that it is the only Rule given by God for ordering all mens conversation in thingâ—â—ppâ—â—tâ—ining to God and which leads them towards Heaven Whereas thou bids me to shew thee out of the Scriptures where the Apostles or Disciples or Ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ or any Saint or Believer ran up and down or sent up and down to wrangle with Parishes for Tithe-calves and other particulars mentioned bidding me to answer it by Scripture out of the Apostles and Disciples practise and to give thee plain Scripture for it Answer Neither the Apostles nor the Disciples who were Ambassadors of Jesus Christ nor any Saints or Believers were in the first setlings of the Church after Christ put to wrangle with any Parishes or persons for things which was due unto them Righteousness was so exercised among the Professors and Believers of the Christian faith at first that they would not wrong any by detaining their Rights Corruption afterâ—aâ—ds crept into the Corinthian Church a Church which as thou shall know anon denied to the Apostle maintenance and would wrong one another and to the shame and scandal of their profession 2 Cor. 2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. by lawing before Unbelievers made their wrong doings and defrauding others manifest unto the world A thing which the Apostle tels them was a fault and threatens such unrighteous Dealers with not Inheriting the Kingddom of God I do not go nor send any up and down to wrangle but to demand as is my duty and to receive that temporal maintenance which of Right from Christ doth appertain unto me If any will wranâ—le with me and those whom I send to demand and receive what is due seeking thereby to detain fraudulently what is due I conceive the fault of wrangling is meerly their own arising from their own perverse covetous sacrilegious spirit which is rebellious to Christ but it is not from me who doth but demand and challenge what is due and herein I do but as Peter did who demanded of Ananias and Saphira having kept back a part of that which was consecrated to God Act. 5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11. the Truth and the Right And though the Lord in these our times doth not shew visible immediate Judgements ordinarily on unfaithfull and fraudulent payers of Tithes which are Christs dues and his Ministets for his sake yet it is most sure that without Repentance such shall lie under Gods eternal curse who livâ— and die in their Thievery of robbing Gods Ministers in the least parcel of their livelihood appointed unto them from Mal. 3. 8 9. God Touching the Particulars of Tithes which thou hast mentioned bidding me answer it by Scripture out of the Apostles and Disciples practise and to give plain Scripture for it I say Thou cannot be ignorant if thou be a Reader of Holy Scriptures and not a Rejecter of them that the Levites under the Law of whom many were very holy men received Tithes and that God commanded the people to pay Tithes to them and that the Apostle saith Know you not that they who minister about the Holy things eat of the things of the Temple and they 1 Cor. 9. 13 41. which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar even so also hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel mind these words Even so hath the Lord ordained The Apostle tels us that as it was ordained by God that they of old who waited on the Altar should live of the Altar so God hath ordained that they who preach the Gospel would even so live of the Gospel even so comprehends in it that in the same manner the maintenance of the Preachers of the Gospel should arise which thou may know was by Tithes and Offerings Act. 4. 34. by lands and houses for them and their family c. As for the practise of the Apostles and Disciples which thou calls for to be shewed from
family and is to rule well his house having his Children and family too in subjection with all gravity may still and doth still 1 Tim. 3 4 abide in Christs Doctrine though his servants call him Master Fourthly The word Master which is in some places rendred Sir is a Title of civil honour used in compellations or speakings to others hereby one man shews his civil respect and honour of such to whom he speaks and therefore no man much less a Minister hath any cause to renounce that word Master or Sir which is only civilly tendred unto them from others because it is a general command recorded in the New Testament To give honor to whom honor is due Christianity teaches no man to be uncivil either by with-holding from others the Civilities Rom. 13. 7 of honouring them or by rejecting those civilities of honor when they are offered seeing all Christians are enjoined in honor To prefer one another and likewise there is a special command that pious and painfull Ministers be counted worthy Rom. 12. 10. 1 Tim. 5. 7. of double honour therefore both Ministers and others may very lawfully according to this civil sense and use of the word suffer themselves to be courteously called Master or Sir Neither doth this appellation thwart Christs saying Be not ye called of men Masters because this Title Master or Sir in its civil use doth not at all import that they who are spoken unto are thereby called the Masters of our faith which was the thing forbid unto the Disciples to be so called because there was only but one such Master even Christ himself If the civil calling one Master or Sir when one is spoke unto had imported that the party who is so saluted or spoke unto was the Master of our faith then the Apostles themselves would never have suffered themselves to be called Master or Sir by those who spake unto them without intimating some check and controul and countermand at that time which we never read of Thou in the close of thy paper asks me where I read Mr. Paul Mr. Mathew Mr. Mark Mr. Luke Mr. John Mr. Peter Mr. James Mr. Timothy Mr. Titus Answer We do not read that every one of those whom thou hast recited were civilly saluted with the name Master or Sir because the holy Scripture was not intended that it should be a narrative of all particular civil acts done by and done unto those particular Saints whom it doth mention yet it hath nor left us without some information in this particular For we read in it that the Jaylor speaking to Paul and Silas saith Masters or Sirs What shall I do to be saved here Paul Act. 16 30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 12. 21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was called by him Master and certain Greeks came to Philip and desired of him saying Sir we would see Jesus Philip is also saluted with the name Master or Sir These places plainly shew that some of the Apostles were called of men in a civil sense Master or Sir and yet they did not transgress the command of Christ who said Be not ye called Masters because Christ by the name Master ment only the Master of mens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faith which they should not be called but he did not forbid that they should be called a Master teaching under him or a Master having servants and others subject to him or a Master in a way of civil honour when they were spoke unto for in these three last senses of the word Master his own Apostles and Disciples were of men called Masters and the Scripture no where condemns either them who being so called nor yet them who called them so The Answer then is easie to thy demand which is this Dost thou abide in Christs Doctrine that are called of men Master Answer I do abide in Christs Doctrine because though men call me Master in those three last forementioned meanings of the word Master yet they do not call me neither will I be called of men the Master of any of their faith which is the first sense of the word Master before spoke of and was only ment by Christ in that place neither do I love as the Scribes and Pharisees did to be called of men Master in that sense of the word Thou demands further in this manner Did not Christ give these marks to the multitude and to the Disciples Now if I was one of the multitude could not I tell thinks thou if my guide were called of men Master and had the chiefest place in the Assemblies and had his long robes and uppermost roomes at feasts Answer Christ did tell the multitude and his Disciples that the Scribes and Pharisees loved to be called Rabbi Rabbi that is Master Master the Master of Masters or the only Masters of other mens faith but he doth no where condemn any who not affecting that title is yet termed Master according to some other sense of the word Again he told them That the Scribes and Pharisees loved the chief seats in the Synagouges and uppermost roomes at feasts but he no where condemns any who neither loving to be so placed nor affecting nor contending for these seats and rooms should yet be placed to sit the uppermost in Synagogues and at feasts Again he told them That the Scribes desire to walk in long Luk 46. 20 robes but yet he no where condemns any though clad in robes who neither loved nor affected nor desired nor ambitiously sought to be so clad We are told thar an innumerable multitude out of all Nations stood before the Lamb cloathed in white robes therefore not the having long robes but the ambitious desire and affecting these is by Christ condemned Rev. 7. 11. in the Scribes and Pharisees Though therefore thou was one of the multitude and were able to tell that the Minister who is appointed to be under Christ by his teaching to be a guide unto thee in the wayes of Christ is called of men Master and that he had the chief place in the holy Assemblies and that he did wear a long gown which I suppose thou calls a long robe and that he did sit in the uppermost room at feasts yet unless thou were informed from Christ in the same manner or the like as were the multitude and Disciples unto whom he spake concerning the Scribes and Pharisees that that self same Minister was one who doth love affect desire or ambitiously seek after the title of being called Master and to have the chief place in holy Assemblies and to wear a long gown or robe and to sit in the uppermost rooms at feasts thou ought not to account him to be like those Scribes and Pharisees which Christ condemned because Christ condemned not the having but only the loving and affecting these things It is thus further written by thee Read Mat. 23. and how canst thou escape the seven woes there pronounced against such
further asks Art not thou one that is covetous Answ There is a vertuous and lawful covetousnesse and there is a covetousnesse which is vicious and unlawful God who knows my heart can testifie that it cannot justly account me to be actually guilty in this latter sort of covetousness for clearing this consider 1. There is a lawful covetousnesse which is an holy affecting and desiring to have the best things things spiritual This covetousnesse is commended wherefore neither thou nor I nor any man else shall be blamed for coveting spiritual things as 1 Cor. 12. 31 1 Cor. 14. 1. namely to be rich in God and rich in faith and rich in good works seeing the Apostle bids us to be so 2. There is an unlawful covetousnesse condemned in holy Scripture It is a mans inordinate affecting and desiring to have more riches or earthly things then the Lord alots him It is lawful for a man of a low estate to desire that it might be better he Prov. 30. 8. may pray as holy Agur did give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me yet such a man is not covetous for it is not the bare affecting and desiring but the inordinate affecting and desiring more which renders a man covetous Now the affecting and desiring of wealth and earthly things is then inordinate 1. When these things are in the first place desired and Mat. 6. 33. sought before the Kingdome of God and the righteousness thereof And 2. When a man affects and desires these things with a will and setled purpose to be rich by faire or foule means by 1 Tim. 6. 9 10 unprescribed and unallowed courses as well as by those which are approved and appointed And 3. When the affections and desires to obtaine these are so eager in putting a man upon the looking after them that he longs to be free and to shift from any duty of piety equity and charity which he conceives will let or hinder him in the procuring Amos 8. 5. Prov. 3. 27 or in the reteining of these things In the old Testament he is said to be covetous who covets Hab. 2. v. 9 and v. 5. Eccl. 5. 10. covetousnesse that is whose desires are still enlarged as hell as death though the thing desired be obtained The New Testament describes such men by two words The one intimates he is covetous who from a greedy desire of having more and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more is a rapacious scraper to himself of more then enough from others by false-dealing circumventing or some unlawful Eph. 5. 5. meanes The other word imports that he is covetous who is a lover of money not he who hath it and receives it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and imploys it unto necessary and fitting uses but he who loves it who hath his heart so affected with it as if it were a mans very happiness to have it such a man is therefore either so didly vile in coming by it he pierceth himself thorough with many 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. sorrows and makes use thereto of many foolish and hurtful lusts or he is basely miserable in hugging and hoarding it though it will rust every penny which he is to part Jam. 5. 3. with towards any publick good is as a drop of blood distilled from his very heart By what is said it may easily be conceived what manner of men they were whom the Apostle calls covetous To thy question which is Art not thou one that is covetous I plainly answer I am not I blesse me God for it that Heb. 13. 5. my conversation in this world hath been hitherto without covetousness without love of money I can truly say as the Act. 20. 33 Apostle did I have coveted no mans silver nor gold nor apparel yea and I can challenge the whole world as Samuel did the Israelites here I am witness against me before the Lord whose Oxe have I taken or whose Asse have I taken so I can truly ask whose Sheep or whose Lamb or whose Cow or whose calfe or whose horse have I taken or whom have I defrauded or whom have I oppressed the tythes of these things which I have taken was not mans but the Lords dues and according to his preceptive appointing them to his Ministers and his Providential designing me to my lot in the Ministry I have took my share which by him and the Laws of the Nation is allowed to me and it is unjust to repute me and other Ministers to be covetous men because we have took our dues for we are thankfully content with that which God allots us so are not men who are covetous and we do not envy at the enjoyments of others neither do we desire to share in any part of that allotment which God hath granted unto other men covetous men are of another temper The truth is neither Ministers nor any other sort of men can justly be called lovers of their own selves and covetous because they demand and take that maintenance which God allots them which is in the hands or custody of others who ought not to with-hold the good from them to whom it is Prov. 2. 33 due Ministers are not covetous because they demand and receive tythes which is their due neither is the people covetous because they ask and take from others those debts which are owing and due unto them Thou hast then no reason to suspect me or any faithful Minister to be men covetous because we take tithes Lay your hands upon your own hearts and condemne your selves as men extreamly covetous if ye will envy at that allowance which God hath consigned to us Ministers your fellow servants and if being uncontent with the nine parts in that portion of Gods blessing which he bountifully allots to you ye will with fraudulent or other unlawful courses seek also to bereave his Ministers of the tenth part of his blessing on your increase which God appoints unto them ye then discover your selves to be greedily covetous in swallowing up that which is none of yours ye may perhaps like the wicked boast of having herein your hearts desire and blesse and applaud your covetous selves but the Lord abhors you for Psal 10. 3. such doings Briefly ye your selves who will keep from us our tythes and not we who demand them and take but our dues are the men who are truly called covetous To the last part of thy Querie which is Art not thou one to be turned away from 2 Tim. 3. I answer These words of the Apostle 2 Tim. 3. 5. is no command to thee or any other to withdraw your selves from your faithful painful careful and unblamable Pastors and Teachers but they are a charge unto Timothy and so to all good Ministers especially to them who shall live in the last dayes which are perillous times how to demeane themselves towards such whom the Apostle there describes to have
in their course to content their flesh to fulfil its lusts of uncleanness or its impure lustings 2. He names also them who were Libertines in judgement ver 10. and practice men who despised government who had slight contemptuous thoughts and opinions concerning all civil Government and power who perswaded others to believe that Christians are freed from the yoke of Magistracy and from the bondage of having Rulers over them they were such who were not afraid to speak evil of Dignities they were revilers of those who did bear authority or were dignified The Apostle also plainly relates the evil conditions of these men 1. He saith they were presumptuous or men of impudent ver 10. daring spirits to undertake enterprises impious and perillous And 2. He saith that they were self-willed or such who were resolved and set on it that they would have their own will and way and as natural bruit-beasts contemnes things the use whereof they know not or which they apprehend to be contrary to their nature even so these kinde of men speak evil of ver 12. the things which they understand not or conceives to be things crossing their corrupt doctrines and wicked lives such speak evil of the holy Scriptures of most Articles of Religion of Magistracy of Ministry they speak evil of these sporting themselves with their own conceits or delusions and the Apostle ver 13. further 3. Tells us that they were men of lascivious wanton looks and were restless in sinfulnesse that they beguiled unstable souls that ver 14. their hearts were exercised with covetous practises that they were turned Apostates having forsaken the right way and that ver 15. they were gone astray And having spoken of them in this manner he compares them to waterlesse Wells and to unstable and unsetled clouds saying these are Wells without water Clouds are carried with a tempest ver 17. 1. He compares them to wells without water saying they are such wells As wells without water deludes the travellers expectation of finding relief and refreshment therein so these false teachers will at length deceive the hopes of their seduced followers who thinking to have from them soul-saving and soul-sanctifying instructions will in time finde that they are as empty Wells having nothing in them but the mud and filth of sin defiling and soul-damning doctrines and conceptions The Apostle in calling them Wells without water intimates plainly that their misled followers will have but empty and uncomfortable ver 18. performances of these alluring great swelling words or promises of liberty and happy peace which they tell them is to be had only in their way and which they give out concerning their way as that it is a nearer path to heaven then that which the holy Apostles and faithful Ministers teach of living by faith in the Sonne of God and of exercising Gal. 3. 20. 1 Tim. 4. 7 2 Pâ—t 2. 18 19 ones self unto godlinesse in the works of mortification and vivification But the Apostle saith while they promise them liberty they themselves are servants of corruption intimating that their followers will finde that there is no peace in impurity and no liberty to be got by following the way of those who living in errour and teaching errour do themselves continue servants in bondage to corruption 2. The Apostle compares them to clouds carried with a tempest these clouds are usually whirled this way and that in an unsteady positure with a conslict of windes which is a whirlewind 2 Pet. 2. 17 or tempest as the Apostle calls it so that they keep not to any settled point or site of the heavens but are somtimes in one and somtimes in another position and sometimes in none but inclining to any part whether the winds will hurry them such are Seducers they are empty clouds having no droppings in them of any sound doctrine to distill towards the benefit of the Church and towards the improving of it towards heaven but they are rather darkning clouds which seeks to obscure those divine lights of holy truths which are already revealed and conteined in the holy Scripture yea they are clouds ever and anon whirled or carried about with the tempest of divers and Heb. 13. 9. strange doctrines every new doctrine carrieth them into a new way and when they meet with several new doctrines they are whirled round and know not where to rest becoming I am 1. 8. thereby unstable in all their wayes Sometimes they are in one opinion and sometimes in another crosse conceit they are usually exercised with great conslicts from plausible and pleasing though polluting and destroying doctrines so as they are unresolved unto what they should hold resolutely trying several wayes till they be outed of all wayes and become seekers or rather loosers of themselves being herein like thin empty clouds tossed with several windes divers wayes which at last vapours into nothing The Apostle tells us that these kind of men are unlearned and unstable and that they wrest 2 Pet. 3. 16 the Scriptures unto their own destruction Thus it may be easily understood that not the setled Ministers of Christ who preach his truths and his Gospel but that false teachers and seducers who broach and belch out damnable doctrines are the men whom the Apostle calls Wells without water and Clouds carried with a Tempest think not that these will instill into thy soul any of the water of the Wells of salvation for they are empty Wells and whosoever trusts to them and runnes after them to get soul-saving comforts from them will at length finde themselves deluded in them even as the little ones were who the Prophet mentions who were sent to the pits and found no water and returned Ier. 14. 3. with their vessels empty and were ashamed and confounded and think not that it can be safe unto thy soul to follow those clouds carried with a tempest as the Apostle stiles them for whosoever will follow their pernicious wayes will prove as unstable as their giddy guides and will be still as children tossed to and fro and carried with every winde of doctrine by the Eph. 4. 14. slight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lay in wait to deceive and without repentance they will fall into the same condemnation of an horrible tempest with their Psal 11. 6. seducing Leaders even into the mist of darkness which is reserved for them for ever 2 Pet. 2. 17 Enough is said to thy eleventh Head of Demands CHAP. XII Thy twelfth Head of Demands is thus set down by thee ARt not thou one of the Novices spoken of in the Scripture seeing that thy Congregation is so out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as witches and such slandering expressions to honest people Are not these the mockers now that should come that the Apostle said should come that now we see hath raigned since and are not these the marks
that these scoffers and mockers are Iude 3. 2 Pet. 2. 1. men who walk after their own ungodly lusts they are dâ—riders of the best counsel and comfort which Gods Word gives unto them they follow the guidance of their own corrupt reason and affections ordering their whole life according to their own lustings Such mockers and scoffers were those Seducers and false Teachers and their followers which the Apostle said should come and these since their first rising have had their ebbings and flowings in the several Ages of the Christian Church according as it pleased the Lord to exercise his Church with greater or lesser numbers of them And I believe that the numbers of these seducing and heretical mockers and scoffers of the holy Scripture and of all persons Ordinances duties services instructions directions comforts and commands commended unto us in the holy Scripture was in no time of the Church so increased as they are in these our days whereby we assuredly know that we are in the last days wherein evil men and seducers 2 Tim. 3. 13 shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 3. Thou asks further and are not these the marks of the false prophets mockers scoffers bâ—iars thornes thistles Answ 1. I finde that Peter and Jude do give the name of mockers and scoffers unto such false teachers whom they foretold should arise and therefore every one may infallibly conclude that such teachers are without doubt false teachers who are such mockers as the Apostles speaks of who scoffe at holy Scripture and cast all reproaches on it to villifie and nullifie it yea and who jeare and gibe at holy Ministers for their preachings of the Gospel of Christ which that word of truth holds out The Rabbies of the Romish Church and the rabble of teachers which they of your way heap up to your selves will never free themselves from that mark given to know false teachers by Whosoever hath to deale in the contrroversies of both must be of a stupendious inobservancy if he espies not both of them to be grand mockers and scoffers of holy Scripture and of the holy contents of it 2. The holy Scripture doth not by these words briars thorns and thistles particularly and distinctly decipher out false teachers from other wicked men It ascribes them in general to all wicked men in which number false teachers may be comprehended but it gives not these names properly and peculiarly to false teachers as Marks or Characters whereby they may be known to be no other then false teachers I think therefore it was not advisedly asked are not these the marks of false teachers briars thornes and thistles yet to satisfie thee understand that the holy Scripture doth certifie us touching these words As 1. We are told that it is a piece of the curse on the ground Gen. 3. 17 18 Isa 7. 23 24 Heb. 6. 7 8 for mans sinne that it should bring forth thornes and thistles and that it is threatned as a sore judgement to a land that it should become all briars and thornes and that the earth which bringeth out these is nigh unto a curse 2. The holy Scripture informes us that the enemies of Gods Eze. 28. 24 people of Israel were pricking briars and grieving thornes and that the enemies of Christs Church are all of them Cant. 2. 2. thornes surrounding her as pricking and stinging thornes do a Lilly 3. The Scripture certifies us that among Gods own people of Israel there were wicked men of all ranks which it calls thornes and briars One Prophet calls the common people Isa 9. 18 who were grosly wicked briars and thornes as he stiles the great ones who were also wicked the thickets of the forrest Anothet Prophet tells us that the great ones the Princes and Judges and great men in Israel even the very best of them were as a briar the most upright sharper then a thorne hedge The former Prophet did threaten that their wickedness should be Mic. 7. 3 4 as a fire in a Wood which should destroy the Nation it should first take hold on the briars and thornes and then consume all the trees so wickednesse should first destroy the poorest and meanest sort of wicked people and after the Grandees or them of higher rank and reckoning 4. The holy Scripture calls those who rebel against the Word of the Lord spoken and taught by his true Prophets briars and thornes and scorpions and bids his Prophet not to Ezek. 2. 6 be afraid of them nor of their words Thus wicked men are in Scripture called briars and thornes and thistles because their fruits is not good they choak the Mat. 13 12 Ezek. 2. â— Micah 7. 4 good seed of Gods word which his Ministers sow among them not suffering it to take root in their souls they are disposed to tear and hurt the servants of God and likewise others and many times they do so they yeeld no fruits of righteousnesse no grapes of grace to comfort and cheare any no figs no fruits of faith to assure themselves that the Lord is their possession or portion for men gather not grapes of thornes nor figs of thistles Though then false teachers as all other wicked Mat. 7. 16. men are briars and thornes and thistles yet these names are no peculiar mark of them that they are such they are not by these names marked out from all other wicked men to have it signified thereby that they have this property more then wicked men who are briars and thornes that they are false teachers 4. Thou having said that the fruits of these is mocking and scoffing at honest people dost further ask Do we we not see that these fruits proceed from thee Answ Mocking and scoffing and other sinnes of wicked men are fruits which proceed from themselves but they do not proceed from me or any other faithful Minister of Jesus Christ For 1. They proceed from wicked men themselves even from Mat. 15. 19 the corruptions of their own hearts which are fields fertile in all sorts of wickednesse but barren in any goodnesse and pro. 24. 30 31 prov 1. 24 25 they proceed from their own neglects of husbanding aright their hearts and from their refusals to have their hearts and lives ordered and husbanded spiritually by Gods holy commands and reproofes uttered unto them by his Ministers And 2. These evils of wicked men doth not proceed from us who are faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ and who preach Gods Word to take people off from such vanities and vild conversation for the Word preached doth good to them who are good who walk uprightly The faults of wicked men continuing still in their reproachful courses after the Word hath been faithfully dispensed to them are most unjustly by thee and others said to proceed from the preachers of the Word The Pharisees having heard our Saviour preach against Luk. 16. 14 serving Mammon derided him the Evangelist
and likenesses which were appointed by God in the Ceremonial Law either to prefigure Christ who was to come or to shadow out something of the spiritual worship and glory which should be in and to the Church after Christs coming and then were to be accomplished and fulfilled are all now ended by his coming they are no longer to continue to that purpose for which they formerly served There is no more need of them seeing that which was signified and represented by them is come and exhibited then there is need of a picture when the person whom it deciphers is present The Apostle saith that the Law he is treating Heb. 10. 1 of the Law Ceremonial which was the Law of Aaronical ritual Ordinances had but a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things Ceremonial Ordinances Col. 2. 17. were but the shadow of things to come but the body is Christ Wherefore though I say that Christ being come and having fulfilled all the use which these Ceremonial types patternes figures shadows likenesses or similitudes had is now abolished they are in respect of their former use now by Christs coming come unto a perpetual end yet I affirme that tythes was none of those similitudes or likenesses for tythes figured nothing in Christ nor in his Church to be fulfilled by Christ at his coming The learned wits of the world have not yet devised with any successeful proof what that body is whereof tythes should be the shadow or what that was which they figured out to be accomplished at Christs coming I therefore conclude that though the Sonne of God is come the end of all similitudes and likenesses yet because tythes was no such similitude or likenesse which he ended therefore he hath not put a period or end to tythes These are still perpetually to be continued unto Christs established Ministers Mat. 28. 20 throughout the world so long as Christ shall be with them which will be even unto the end of the world I have now fully answered thy seven questions about tythe and am now to consider thy expressions about that kinde 〈◊〉 maintenance which thou deemes the Gospel only allowed 〈◊〉 the Preachers of the Gospel Thy Expressions are in this sort Now if thou say that they which preach the Gospel mus◠live of the Gospel and have I not power to eat an◠power to drink yea when Christ sent forth his disciples he bad them enquire who was worthy and what they set before them they might eat but did he that said have I not power to eat say have I not power to take stipends augmentations tythes glebe-lands great sums of money or Parsonage Houses Answ Thou seems in these expressions to have this thought that living of the Gospel is no more then that a preacher of the Gospel hath a power to eat and drink what is set before him thou produces for proof hereof the words of our blessed Saviour bidding his Disciples when he sent them forth to enquire who was worthy and eat such things as were set before Mat. 10. 11 Luk. 10. 8 them Thou also mentions some other things beside meat and drink whereunto as thou supposes there is no grant to any Preacher of the Gospel in the Apostles writings to make claime thereto and thy promise afterward doth plainly shew that thou thinks that no other livelihood is appointed in holy Scripture to be given to a preacher of the Gospel then a little meate and drink when he comes to a worthy house For the rectifying of thy mis-apprehension I will 1. Shew that according to the Apostle Pauls judgement living of the Gospel doth entitle the preachers of the Gospel to more then to a bare power to eat and to drink 2. I will shew that our Saviours inhibition of his Apostles and Disciples when he first sent them forth was no prohibition of the Preachers of the Gospel and their successours to take tythe or any of those things which they were forbid at that present to take along with them when they were sent forth at first 3. I will manifest that though the Apostle doth not in express words say he had power to take augmentations c. yet he saith enough to shew that a Minister or Preacher of the Gospel hath a very lawful power to take all these First living of the Gospel according to the Apostle Pauls judgement doth intitle the Preachers of the Gospel to more then to a bare power to eat and to drink Three Reasons cleares this 1. The Apostle enjoyns them who are taught to communicate Gal. 6. 6. to him that teacheth in all good things Then surely teachers according to Pauls judgement are intituled to have from thee taught more and other things then a little meat and drink Therefore as a Levite of old had power to eat and drink at the house of a Jewish Professour and yet had besides a right to Deut. 14. 29 receive from such a professour the tythe of all the increase wherewith God had blessed him even so a preacher of the Gospel hath a power to eat and to drink when he comes to the house of a Christian Professour who is taught by him and he hath also in Pauls judgement a right to partake in all those good things wherewith God hath increasingly blessed that same Professour who is taught 2. The Apostles saying that they who labour in the word and doctrine are to be counted worthy of double honor doth evidence that his judgment was that preachers of the Gospel are intituled 1 Tim. 5. 17. to receive more then a little meat drink from an housholder whose teachers they are for they will give as much to very beggers coming to their house whom they little honour or esteeme But labourers in the word and doctrine saith the Apost are worthy of honour that is of maintenance the reason he alledges intimates clearly that by honor in that place he understood maintenance yea they are he saith worthy of double honor that is of a liberal honorable comfortable maintenance as a just and honourable reward of their labors Even as the first-born while they held the Priesthood had a double portion besides the portion which they had as other children they had the tythes as an honorary of their Priesthood whereby their portion was double so the Apostle it seemes alluding to the double portion of the first-borne enjoyns that the Preachers of the Gospel have double honour or honorable maintenance namely maintenance both as other men and also a further maintenance as they are Ministers of the Lord and so they are to have that very maintenance which the Levites Num. 3. 35 Numb 8. 18 19. had being assumed into the room of the first-born as Priests and Ministers of God wherby their portion was doubled among their brethren This double portion or double honour or double maintenance was in the Apostles judgment due unto the Preachers or Ministers
to the publick holy Assemblies may be there partakers of some spiritual gift which he imparts to their edification in that publick house belonging to them all which is commonly called the Church It is also well known that he is ready upon timely notice at all times night or day to come to thine and to any other of his peoples private houses and there to minister such spirituals as the present emergencies of your families doth justly require from him And though he sees well enough who do cordially and who do onely superficially value those spirituals which he dispenseth yet he counts any house worthy which desires his Ministerial service and which doth not put it away from them and judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life All thy expressions are now fully answered which have been used by thee to declare the kinde of maintenance which thou deemes is only to be allowed unto a Minister of the Gospel and an answer is also given to thy promise relating in what manner thou will entertain at thine house such a Minister The language which I must expect from thee in case I come and demand things tythable is thus related by thee But if thou come to a Towne or come to an House and quetie for tythes and Augmentations and tythe Wool Hey Pigs Bees Gardens and money for smoak passing up Chimneys Fowles Egges Geese Chickens Calves Lambs and other creatures And thou canst not shew me by Scripture where the Apostles did so I must say thou art one of those evil beasts that minds earthly things and thy own belly if thou cannot prove to the contrary Answ It hath been already again and againe proved that tythes in general and that the tythes also of those very things which thou mentions are all due from the taught to him who teacheth It hath also been proved that Ministers have right to all such augmentations which shall at any time arise unto them either from moneys or from other things which are given unto them or from the increase either of fruits or of rents or of improvements which those lands houses and other temporalities which are dedicated to the upholding of the publick service and honour of God and to his Ministers maintenance do yeeld and therefore it is lawful for a Minister to come to a Town and House and there to querie after his dues of tythes and other dues of them who have them and are to pay them unto him even as the Apostle Peter did querie or demand of Ananias and Saphira about that Act. 5. 2 3 c. part of dues which they had deteined and had not laid it at the Apostles feet If notwithstanding all that clearnesse of holy Scripture which is brought and proves fully my right as I am a Minister of the Gospel unto tythes and the lawfulnesse for me to demand my dues of tythes from thee I say if notwithstanding this when I come to thy house thou will say that I am one one of those evil beasts that minds earthly things and mine own belly I shall be therewith onely moved to pray unto God to pardon thee all that and the like uncomely and unmanly language which hath in it not a word of truth and soberness and that he would grant unto thy very reason so much freedome from being blinded by any covetous desires of with-holding other mens dues that thou may truly understand that neither thy Minister nor others are therefore evil beasts that mindes earthly things and their own bellies because he and they come to thy house he inquiring after his dues and they after the debts which thou owest them and both demanding from the payment of what is theirs Thy fourteenth Demand hath now received a full and ample Answer CHAP. XV. Thy fifteenth Head of Demands is thus exprest IF any people had followed the false Prophets false Apostles and such as made a prey upon them for filthy lucre and covetousnesse and took their money and bear rule by their meanes And divined for money and sought for their fleece and the Priests that preached for hire and come to Christ from the hirelings that will flie who hath laid down his life for the sheep who saith Learn of me I am the way to the Father and witnesse the word in them and the anointing in them to teach them are they to maintain and uphold such before mentioned that Christ the Prophets and Apostles cryed against or maintain such Prophets and Priests in their way yea or nay as Priests and Ministers and Teachers Answ I have already fully proved that though there were false prophets and false Apostles among the Jews who made a prey upon the people for filthy lucre and covetousnesse and took their money and did bear rule by their meanes and divined for money and sought for their fleece and though there was carnal covetous Priests who would be hired to teach falshood for advantage against whom the true Prophets and Christ and his Apostles in their dayes cryed yet during that time of these false Prophets and Apostles and corrupt Priests there were also as hath been shewed holy Levites and Priests true Apostles and faithfull Ministers against whose lawfull setled publick maintenance neither any of the true Prophets true Apostles nor Christ spake one word neither was their tithes and their other setled publick maintenance that prey on people nor that meanes by which rule was borne nor that mony and filthy lucre and covetousnes for which some divined nor that fleece which some sought for nor that hire for which some taught which was spoken against by the Prophets Apostles and Christ And therefore thy demand needes no large answer Thy demand in breife is this If any people had followed the false Prophets and false Apostles and Priests that taught for hire and come to Christ from hirelings are they to maintaine and uphold such before mentioned or are they to maintain such Prophets or Priests in their way yea or nay as Preists Ministers and teachers Answ If any such should have come to Christ from hirelinges while he was on the earth he would not because they were come to him discharge them ftom paying those publick dues and rights which apperteined to the setled Ministers of holy things among them in that Nation though among such Ministers also their were some who were corrupt and covetous My reason of this assertion is Because though Christ commanded such who came to him not to follow any pernicious practise of the publick teachers Math. 23. 3 yet he never perswaded any of them to deteine from those publick Ministers who were then Preistes and Levites their dues but he commanded one who had come to him viz. the Leper whom he had clensed to go and shew himself to the Priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as Math. 8. 4. a testimony unto them A part of that maintenance whereby the subsistence of the Priests arose was from offerings which Christ would
that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turne away from him that speaketh from heaven and againe how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation In the midst of this sixteenth head of demands thou bids me answer thee and let the truth speak and come to the light and bring my deeds to it Answ I have fully answered thee and for thy sake to give thee satisfaction if thou art yet capable of any I have laid together the words of truth that thou and all who read them may understand what is spoken in them to the things demanded and if my deeds be examined by these words of truth which have been a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths it will plainly appear to all who are unprejudiced and who are judicious that I have done no unrighteous deed and thing in demanding to receive from thee that portion of my due maintenance which is in thy hand but from God the Lord both of thee and me to whom both must give an account for our doings assigned unto me for my labours Thy sixteenth head of Demand hath now its full Answer CHAP. XVII Thy seventeenth head of Demands is thus expressed WHat is the first principle of the pure Religion Is the steeple house the Church What Scripture hast thou for sprinkling Infants What Scripture hast thou for the word Sacrament Hast thou heard Gods voice immediately from heaven as Prophets and Apostles did or Christs voice Doest thou believe that a man shall come to that which is perfect while he is upon the earth and have the body of sin put off and be free from sinne Dost thou own that salvation that is wrought out with fear and trembling Dost thou own the same Revelation and Inspiration that the Prophets and Apostles had now in this age yea or nay Dost thou own the prophecying sonnes and daughters in this age and that the Lord will poure out his Spirit upon all flesh When Christ saith to his Disciples be ye not called Masters for ye have one Master and ye are all brethren Where dost thou read Mr. Paul Mr. Matthew Mr. Mark Mr. Luke Mr. John Mr. Peter Mr. James Mr. Timothy Mr. Titus that these transgressed the command of Christ is not he Antichrist that transgresseth and the deceiver and hath not God nor the Son and is not he to bid God speed Read Johns second Epistle and answer me Answer these queries in writing to the thing that is queried and do not say that they are foolish and non-sense but let me have an answer in writing Answer Here are eleven Questions proposed whereunto an answer shall be returned severally as they come in order 1. Quest what is the first principle of the pure Religion Answ The pure Religion is the doctrin according to Godlines containing such wholesome words which teach men the way of 1. Tim. 6. 3 2 Tim. 1. 3. 2. Pet. 4. 6. 2. Cor. 13. 4 Act. 24. 14. 1. Pet. 4. 2. 1. Pet. 4. 11. living to God and with God of serving God according to his own will The principles of this holy doctrin or pure Religion which are to be known are all those holy truths which are revealed from God and are plainly to be found in the Oracles or written words of God called the holy scriptures for there they are recorded Scripturall truthes are the principles or things in the pure Religion which are to be known and the holy scriptures are the principles or chief outward means by which men come to knowledge of those principles or truths which are in the pure religion and the first principle of this pure Religion which is to be known is this there is a God and he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him 11. Heb. 6. 2. Quest Is the steeple house the Church Answ In what sense the places of our holy Assemblys are truly called Churches will appeare by what I shall deliver at present touching the name of Church know then that A multitude of believers is called the Church namely the Rationall Church or the congregation of reasonable creatures conspiring together in the profession of the Common faith and in the practise of all things truly promoting the common salvation Thus the whole company and society of believers throughout the world agreeing in the Profession of Christ calling on his name submitting to his Ordinances holding communion in the same faith worship exercise of godlines and in things of everlasting salvation Act. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 3 15 Rom. 16. 61 is called in holy scripture the Church of God the Church of the living God the Church of Christ And thus also partiaular Societyes of believers visibly dwelling together within certaine convenient limits and bounds who prosesse publickely together the same doctrine of faith and love and submit to the Lord Jesus Christ and his ordinances and to partake in these holy institutions which he hath appointed and who do meete as the Lords people publickely to worship God and Christ I say these particular visible societyes of believers 1 Thes 1. 1 are also called the Church The Apostle writes to the Church of the Thessalonians in God the father and in Jesus Châ—ist a Church in God and in Jesus Christ is Persons who have felâ—owship together in the faith obedience and worship which God the father and his son Jesus Christ requires Again know also that the very places of Christian Assemblyes where Christians meete to perform solemne service to God and Christ and to injoy holy ordinances these also are in holy Scripture stiled the Church of God namely the Local Church thus the Apostle speaking of the assembly of the Corinthian 1 Cor. 11. 22 church and abuses therein saith have ye not houses to eate and to drink in or despise'ye the Church of God the opposition which he puts between theire own houses which were places proper for their own ordinary and Common businesses and the place where the Church was publickly assembled which was no mans house but a place for the common use of the Church in things only spiritual plainely shewes that the Apostle calls the place of Christians assembling for Christian purposes the Church of God And he confirmed it by saying afterwards when ye come together to eate tarry one for another and if any 1 Cor. 11. 33 34. man hunger let him eat at home so then the very place where the Church Rationall of Gods people publickly meet is by the Apostle called the Church of God his Locall Church not mens home but Gods house of publick worshiping him where Mark 11. 17 ever such a place be in any nation Though thou in derision calls the place of our holy Assemblys a steeple house yet it is our comfort that the Apostle calls it the Church of God and that God himself hath promised to come and meet us and blesse us in it as he will all his holy people in all
other places where his name is recorded and Exod. 20. 24. called his as namely Gods house Gods Church and the like and where his Rationall Church of holy people meet to remember him and to learn to be improved in all his holy wayes and service 3. Quest What scripture hast thou for sprinkling of Infants Answ I will tell thee 1. What the Scripture holds out touching sprinkling as no wayes condemning the use of it in baptizing and then I will 2. Tell the some scriptures injoyning the baptizing of Infants First know that though holy scripture requires that in baptizing a such an application of wtter unto the party baptized should be made as may expresse representatively or signifingly the vertue of Christs blood in washing a way sin yet seing it no where injoynes expresly that the manner of that application should be either by dipping and dousing in agreat quantity of water or by pouring or sprinkling a little water on the party baptized therfore the Scripture allowes that baptisme which is performed by Sprinkling as well as that baptisme which is donne by dipping I the rather thinke so because the Holy-â—hâ—st in those holy writings doth not make choice of the expression of dipping dousing or ducking to signifie the application of Christ blood but he have made choice of the word sprinkling to notifiy so much Thus the sprinkling of the uncleane with Hysop dipt Heb. 9. 13. 14 Numb 19 18 19 Isa 52. 15. Heb. 10 22 Heb. 12. 24 1 Pet. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 3. 21 in the water of purification did testifiy faith on Christs blood applying that blood for our clensing It was prophecyed of Christ that he should sprinkle many nations we are said not to have our hearts dipt but to have them sprinkled from an evil conscience Christs blood is called the blood of sprinkling and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ is an expression whereby the Apostle intimates our justification whereof baptisme is the representation Secondly know that I have these scriptures warrantizing me and other Ministers to baptise Infants or little Children Math. 28. 19 Psâ— 117. 2. Psa 148. 12 13 Acts. 2. 38 39. Rom. 15. 8. 9. 10 Our Saviour commandes his Apostles to baptise all Nations excepting none of the Nations no not infants who are in the Psalmists opinion a very considerable part of them He having in one Psalm said Praise the Lord all ye nations in another he doth call on Kings of the earth and all People to praise God and he recounts children among the particulars mentioned both young men and maidens old men and children let them praise the name of the Lord. Againe Peter exhorts the Jewes to be baptized because the promise was made to them and their children and to all that are a farre of even as many as the Lord our God shall call seing then the promises of Grace belongs to the infants of believing Parents therefore according to holy scripture they are to be baptised Againe the Apostle saith Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God to confirme the promises made unto the fathers and that the Gentiles might glorify God foâ— his mercyes as he saith Rejoyce yee Gentiles with his people Christ discharged his ministeriall Office among those of the circumcision the Jews to confiâ—me the promise made to the fathers and that the Gentiles might have a portion in the same promise that so both Jewes and Gentiles might rejoyce together before God What Christ in discharging his ministry a-abolished in the Covenant made with the Fathers is abolished but that is still confirmed and to be in use what is therein specified and was not abolished either by himself or by any of his Apostles This scripture affords a double proof of the lawfulness of baptizing the Infants of believing Parents One is from the confirmation of signing those with the seale of the Covenant who where formerly signed The other is from Christs command injoyning Baptisme to be the seale of the Covenant and not exempting from it any Infant of believing Parents 1. God at the first making of the Covenant commanded that the Children of believing Parents or Parents in Covenant should be signed with the seale of the Covenant which command was not repealed by Christ the Lord of the house which is the Church but he confirmed the promises made to the fathers and 2. Christ himself commanded that Baptisme should be the seale of the Covenant and Infants not being exempt by him from the bond of the Covenant but being such as he would have brought unto him and of whom he hath told us that of such is the Kingdome of God are therefore to receiue the seal of the Covenant appointed by him which is Baptisme These Scriptures to name no more do justifiy the baptising of the Infants of Professional believers 4. Quest What scripture hast thou for the word Sacrament Answ The 28. of Math. v. 19. 26. Math. 26 27. 1 Cor. 11. 23. c. are scriptures which doe positively injoyne those holy institutions and actions which are called among the most of Christians Sacraments however some stiles them the seals of the Covenant and though the word sacrament be not in Scripture yet seeing what is thereby meant is fully set down in holy Scriptture and the word is not used by any true Protestant in their Theologically writing to signify any thing which disagrees from No men nihil hahet Criminis quod non perturbat sensum Religionis Hilarius lib. de synod contra Arium rope finem what the scripture asserts therefore none ought to blame this and other Theological terms used for explanation of some scriptural truths and never used to be additions of something unto the holy scripture which it mentions not nor to be perversions of the true sence meaning and intent of any part of holy scripture concerning any of the Ordinances and truths which it injoynes and conteines 5. Quest Hast thou heard Gods Voyce immediately from heaven as Prophets and Apostles did or Christs Voyce Answ Though I have neither heard Gods voyce immediately from heaven as did the Prophets and Apostles whome he extraordinarily inspired and sent with his immediate messages to his people nor Christs Voyce immediately as did the Apostles and Disciples who conversed with Christ while he lived on earth yet as it becomes the Ministery which I have received fom him in his ordinary way of mission I have in all these doctrines which I taught to his people communicated to them that very voyce or mind of God and Christ which was heard immediately by the Prophets and Apostles and have tighrly informed them concerning these for I have said no other things then those that the Prophets and Moses and Christ and his Apostles said and taught God in these Heb. 1. 1. 2 latter dayes hath ceased to speake any more as he did of old to the father by immediate voyces and other extraordinary
and abideth not in it and he is also a deceiver and hath not God and Christ and is not to be received into true Christians houses neither are they to bid him God speede All this â—â— true of those who are indeed and truth the Antichrist Papal and his pertinacious adherents and who are the Hereticall Antichrist and their perverse followers both which doe resist the truth and oppose the Doctrines of Jesus Christ But not one word of all that scripturall description of Antichrist and of Antichrists is justly appliable to any fathfull Minister of Christ who both teaches and abides in all Christs Doctrines as hath been abundantly proved by me in this treatise and by sundry other faithfull servants of Christ in their severall laborious workes and writings for the benefit of the whole Church I do somewhat wonder to what purpose this question touching Antichrist was proposed for if he belongs to the Papall Antichrist who contrived these questions to get thereunto from me an answer then I dare boldly thinke that he is some puny Antichristian Emissary and ill advised if he hoped thereby to gravell any faithfull Minister of the Gospell in any of the reformed Churches because much lea neder heads in the Papacy then his own have found experimentally that their stirring in this question hath ever been to the great disadvantage of their Roman cause and to the better inabling of the meanest Evangelicall Ministers to understand more clearly that the Head of the Papacy is that Idol shepherd the great Antichrist against whom the Prophet Zâ—chary denounced a dreadfull woe and unto whom both Hierom and Lyra do expound that that threat will certainly Zec. 11. 17 fall But if he or they who contrived these questions do belong to any of the other hereticall clangs of Antichrists or false teachers then I dare boldly charge him or them with hypocritical blindnes in beholding the motes in Ministers and imagining these to be huge notes of Antichristianisme when he or they did not consider that their was apparently in him or themselves the reall beames of those characters wherewith the scripture decyphers the Hereticall Antichrists of the last times According to thy request I have now answered every one of thy seventeen Heades of questions which thou gavest me in Writing and desired that an answer might be returned thee also in Writing Their are couched in these seventeenth Heads no lesse then seventy seven questions and because thou bids me not say that they are foolish and non-sense therefore I took the greater paines to sift every word and sentence that I might the better understand what grain or chaffe was contained in them If God Almighty make this answer instrumentall to remove from thee and thine your present delusions I shall be much rejoyced and much the more if I could see a return unto and a walke againe in the truth from whence yee have swerved In all this paines tooke for your satisfaction I like a faithful Pastor have aimed wholly at your souls good therefore read and consider seriously what is written I adjure thee and thine hereunto as Deut. 30. 19. once Gods faithful Servant did his people I call heaven and earth to record this day that I have set before you life and death Blessing and Cursing therefore choose life that both thou and thy seede may live Thou hast in writing now a full answer returned to thee from John Bewick the servant of Chrst in the worke of the Ministry unto his people of Stanhope in Weredale Thanks be unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinth 15. 57. FINIS A Table of such places of Holy Scripture which are in the foregoing Treatise cleared illustrated and vindicated Chap. Vers Pag.  Gen.  14 19 20 21 22 23 112 113  Levit.  27 30 22  Numb  28 24 23  Prov.  3 9 7  Eccles  6 7 71  Isaiah  55 1 2. 3 19 20  4 7. 25 27  Isaiah  55 3 30 56 10 11 12 18 19  Jer.  5. 21 22 40  23 24 41 5 31 34 35 23 24 36 23 32 97  Ezek.  34 many verses explain'd 51 52 55 34 10 11 12 13 14 59 61 62  Joel  2 28 154  Micah  3 11 43 44  Zac.  4 11 12 135  Mal.  3 8 32  Mat.  8 4 130 23 7 16 23 16 8 9 23 23 7 23 34 35 134  Luke  10 7 133 134 11 42 6 14 7 8 9. 10 10 22 35 122  John  3 10 12  Acts  2 17 18 19 147 17 25 19  Rom.  12 10 13 13 7 13 15 4 114 16 23 126 16 7 68 13 4 6 138  1 Cor.  2 1 2 3 4. 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 3 9 10 12 9 4 126 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 23   109   110   111   117   132   133 9 10 16 17 133   133   138 139  2 Cor.  11 7 8 4  Gal.  6 6 5 120  1 Tim.  3 2 125 3 3 8 3 4 126 5 7 13 5 17 121  2 Tim.  4 2 74 3 17 110  Titus  1 7 8  Heb.  7 2 112  2 Pet.  1 2 3 79 2 17 88 89  2 Epist of John   10 149 AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE DIRECTING To some special Materials in the precedent TREATISE A ABraham paid tithes to Melchizedeck both of his substance and of the spoil p. 112 113 Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedeck more then once 113 Affectation of magnifying themâ—elves was the sinne of the Pharisees and Scribes 10 Antichrist described 148 The grand Antichrist who ibid. False Teachers and Seducers are in Scripture language petty Antichrists 148 Why they are called many Antichrists ibid. Ministers of the Gospel are no Antichrists ibid. The grand Antichrist and the heretical Antichrists parallelled in their transgression 194 Both deny the doctrine of Christ p. 160 Both deny that Christ is come in the flesh 161 Both deny the sufficiency of holy Scripture in what they do so 160 Both are deceivers 149 Both have no communion with God and Christ 148 Sound Believers are to hold no communion with any Antichrists ibid. The Apostolical practise of receiving maintenance in their times 4 5 The Apostle Pauls practise of personally forbearing to receive from people maintenance doth not bind any other Minister to do the like 5 No Apostle nor Saint nor Christ himself spake one word in the Holy Scripture against tithes or paying of Tithes to Ministers ibid. Augmentations may lawfully be took by the Ministers of the Gospel 124 B BAlaams way what 83 Ministers of the Gospel do not walk in his way ibid. Romish Emissaries and Hereticks do walk in Balaams way 84 Baptizing Infants or little children allowed by Scripture
their peoples sins and errors 46 Their words in preaching tends not to cause divisions and offences 70 Faithfull Ministers will not desist from the work of the Ministry though tithes be took and detained from them 66 67 A Minister is not to cease from his labors ministerial though he find that his people continue unreformed 102 103 The fruites of faithfull Ministers will not wither 104 Faithfull Ministers are no self seekers but self-wasters for the peoples spiritual good 73 74 The established faithful Ministers of the English Church are no false Prophets and false Apostles and false Teachers and Hirelings 131 Peoples believing or not believing that one is a Minister doth not make or unmake him one 6 Ministers may justly require tithes from those people under their charge who come not to enjoy their labors but withdraw from their publick Assemblies 141 142 Ministers are no wranglers in demanding their due maintenance of Tithes and other dues 2 3 Ministers are not covetous for demanding their dues 76 Mockers and Scoffers who they are which the Apostle said should come 93 94 95 Money Who divine for money and teach for hire 43 Ministers do not divine for money 43 44 Preaching for money is a sin 48 N NOvice who is and who is not a Novice 91 92 A Congregation being out of order doth not prove that the Minister thereof is a Novice 92 O OBstinate people are usually those that have eyes and see not and ears and hear not 41 P PArdon of Offendors is easie to God but not so to man 29 30 Parsonage houses may lawfully be enjoyed and possessed by the Gospel 123 Perfection whither attainable by men on earth and what perfection men may and to what they cannoâ— come while they are on earth 149 150 Pharisees condemned for affecting a magnifying of themselves 9 10 Places of holy Assemblies for divine service and holy purposes are lawfully called Churches 145 146 Popes by sacrilegious acts in alienating tithes from Ministers to Monks and others have proved themselves to be therein Anti-christs 7 Popery the sink of Heresies in the Western parts of the world 160 161 Preaching of the word doth not profit many people the causes whereof is not in the Preachers but in the people and what these causes are 98 99 100 Priesthood of Aarons changed but Melchizedecks is not 108 Priesthood of Christs and Aarons differ'd 109 The Law of Aarons Priests is changed 109 Priests of Aarons order had a Law to take tithes which is disanulled to them and yet the Law of taking tithes is not disanulled to Ministers 110 Priests who were in Jeremiahs time had their lawfull rule setled on their order by divine Authority 34 Romish Priests are the Priests in our dayes wâ—o divine for money and teach for hire 50 Prey twofold ibid. How the people was preyed on in the dark and cloudy day 59 60 Price what it is 20 Prophets false are threatned and with what 47 Prophecying sons and daughters at this age who are not 144 145 146 Prophecying or preaching daughters are disclaimed 145 How sons and daughters are said to prophecy 156 Psalms of David are injoyned to be sung 105 106 Singing Psalms is injoyned to worldly men as to sanctified men 106 Q QVakers are no such commers to Christ and professors of his Truth as they pretend 132 Bodily Quakers are no absolute evidence of salvation wrought with fear and trembling 144 R REligion The first principle of true Religion what 144 Rvelations now a dayes of saving Truths unrevealed in the revelations and inspirations which Prophets and Apostles had in penning of holy Scripture are all of them utterly disowned and disclaimed 144 154 Long robes not condemned but the ambitioas seeking to be clad therewith 14 15 Romish Teachers and Sectarians are they who with faigned words and covetousness make merchandize of Gods people 81 Bearing Rule by means what is thereby meant in Jeremiah 35 38 39 S SAcrament that word is lawfully used by Christians 148 Salvation wrought with fear and trembling in the Apostles sense what 153 Holy Scripture was not indited to be an history to relate every particular act done by those holy men whom it mentions 114 Seducers their fruit will wither what it is and how it will wither 103 104 Seducers are guilty of filthy Lucre 8 Self-love what lawfull and unlawfull 72 73 Shepherds against whom Ezekiah complains what is meant by wicked Shepherds eating the fat 52 What by their cloathing with the wool 52 53 What by their killing of the fllock that were fed 53 54 The particular neglect of wicked Shepherds in not exercising their Calling 55 56 The faults of evil Shepherds 57 Sheep Gods promise to seek his sheep doth not warrant any of the flock to have wandring sheep and to turn away from the Shepherds set over them 63 Gods promise to deliver his sheep doth not allow the sheep to detain tithes and dues from their Shepherds ibid. Gods promise to feed his sâ—eep on the mountains is no warrant unto his sheep to forsake the publick Assemblies or Congregations of his true Church 64 Singing Psalâ—s injoyned 106 Sin The particular sins for which God threatned by Jeremiah to visit the people 37 38 Wicked mens sins are fruits which proceed from themselves and not from their faithful teaching Ministers 96 97 98 101 No man can so put off the body of sin while he is on earth that he shall be free from sin 151 152 Souldiers are bound to pay a tenth of their spoils 112 Son of God is come to end all similitudes and liknesses 118 Spirit The Spirits pouring out doth not make all Preachers 145 156 Spirits pouring out of all flesh how 145 The Spirits extraordinary inspirations and donations are now ceased 156 Sprinkling of Infants is allowed 146 147 T TEaching lies errors and incouragements in sin and security is a ruining in sin 47 They do not teach for money and lucre who take tithes 49 The duty of one who hath more understanding then his Teachers 27 False Teachers are in the way of Cain and Balaam 79 80 81 82 83 False Teachers are wells without water 87 88 And inwardly ravening wolves 100 They are known by their fruites 100 101 They are called wicked 101 Thorns Briars Thistles what t s said of them according to Scripture 95 96 False Teachers are not by the name of Briars Thorns and Thistles described to be false Teachers but thereby to be wicked men 94 95 Tithes are Gods Rent to be paid as acknowleâ—gment of his Soveraignty over all 22 23 Tithes Christs right 23 And how Ministers are appointed to receive his right ibid. They demand from people only Christs right in demanding Tithes 23 24 Tithes are for ever to be paid to Christ by paying them to his Ministers 109 The fundamental reasons of paying Tithes of all 112 Tithes are not the price of Ministers preaching unto people spirituals 21 Tithes and money are no ends of Ministers teaching 45 Tithes were paid to Melchizepeck more then once 113 114 Paying Tithes is a standing duty to be paid by all ever after Abrahams time 115 116 117 Tithes are to be paid by all though they come to Christ 129 130 Denyers of paying Tithes is a renouncing of Gods Soveraignty over them Refusing of paying of Tithes to Ministers are in that act of theirs followers of the Pope but no Disciples of God and Christ 6 7 Taking Tithes is no making of Prey upon people 59 Christ biding his Disciples and Apostles to eat what is before them doth not inhibit the the taking of Tithes 121 122 It is no unrighteous thing to demand Tithes 137 Faithfull Priests Levites and Prophets of the Jewish Church are not blamed by any holy Prophet for taking Tithes or ministerial maintenance 17 18 Tithes were not disallowed and condemned by Jeremiah 32 33 Tithes and taking Tithes are in no place condemned or reproved by Ezekiel neither dirst he do so 57 Tithes are none of the Figures similitudes and liknesses to which Christ by his comming put an end 118 U UNcontentedness which God and the Law of the Land allows is a sin 48 Voice The immediate voce of God is not heard by Ministers and yet they communicate unto people the voice and word of God 149 W WElls without water who 88 What is meant by using good words and fair speeches 69 71 Wrangling demanding and inquiring after dues is no wrangling 2 3 FINIS